Chad has strongly condemned remarks by a senior Sudanese general threatening to target its airports, calling the statement a “declaration of war” and vowing to respond in accordance with international law if its territory is attacked.
The warning follows comments from Lt-Gen Yasir al-Atta, Sudan’s deputy army commander, who accused the UAE of using airports in Chad to supply weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan’s military has repeatedly alleged that the UAE has been backing the RSF throughout the ongoing civil war, a claim the UAE denies.
Lt-Gen Atta’s remarks come amid escalating tensions, as Sudan recently took legal action against the UAE at the International Court of Justice over its alleged support for the RSF. He declared that Chad’s airports in N’Djamena and Amdjarass were “legitimate targets” and warned of retaliatory measures against the UAE, South Sudan, and Chad’s President Mahamat Déby.
Chad has positioned itself as neutral in Sudan’s conflict but criticized the threats, urging Sudanese authorities to focus on ending hostilities and engaging in peace efforts. The statement also highlighted Chad’s role in sheltering hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees fleeing violence, particularly from Darfur, a region largely under RSF control.
Meanwhile, the RSF announced that it had taken control of the strategic town of al-Malha in Darfur, claiming to have encircled Sudanese army forces and their allied groups. The capture of al-Malha is seen as a significant development in the war, as the RSF seeks to tighten its grip on Darfur while the Sudanese army makes gains in central Sudan and the capital, Khartoum.
The ongoing conflict, now in its second year, has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with growing fears of famine and mass displacement. Observers warn that Sudan’s civil war is further destabilizing the region, with external actors playing a critical role in shaping the battlefield dynamics.