Chad’s military reported significant casualties in air strikes against Boko Haram militants, with “many dead and wounded” following the attacks, according to President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Thursday. Speaking from the Lake Chad region, Deby confirmed that several air strikes targeted Boko Haram positions, but refrained from providing specific casualty numbers. He added that he personally led the counter-attack after Boko Haram militants launched an assault on Chadian forces last month near the Nigerian border, resulting in the deaths of around 40 people and injuries to many others.
The Chadian government initiated the operation in late October with the goal of eliminating Boko Haram’s capabilities and securing the population. The Lake Chad region, known for its vast swamps and isolated islets, has long been a refuge for militant groups, including Boko Haram, who frequently attack both military and civilian targets.
Since 2015, Chad has been part of a multinational force with Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, comprising about 8,500 troops, to combat the militants. Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in Nigeria in 2009, has since spread its violence across the region, with over 40,000 deaths attributed to the group. In 2020, Chad faced its deadliest attack in the region, losing around 100 soldiers in a Boko Haram raid.
