Chad's President Confirms Attack on Military Base, Leaves 40 Soldiers Dead

Dakar: Ch's presidency confirmed that at least 40 soldiers were killed in a Sunday night attack by unidentified assailants on a military base in western Ch. President Mahamat Deby Itno visited site early Monday and announced initiation of a military operation to pursue attackers.

Ch has faced a prolonged insurgency in western part of country, close to Nigerian border. In June, nine individuals were killed and over 40 injured due to explosions triggered by a fire at a military ammunition depot in capital, N'Djamena.

In March, an attack attributed to Boko Haram resulted in deaths of seven soldiers, raising concerns about renewed violence in Lake Ch region. This follows a period of relative peace after a successful 2020 operation by Chian army that dismantled extremist group's bases. During that time, schools, mosques, and churches reopened, and humanitarian organizations returned to area.

Boko Haram, which launched an insurgency more than a dece ago against Western education, seeks to establish Islamic law in Nigeria's norast. insurgency has spre to West African neighbors including Cameroon, Niger and Ch.

Ch, a country of nearly 18 million people, has been reeling from political turmoil before and after a controversial presidential election that resulted in Deby Itno's victory. He h led country as interim president during period of military rule that followed death of his far in 2021.

(Inputs from PTI)