A deadly assault on Chad’s presidential complex on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of 18 attackers and one soldier, according to government sources. The attack, which unfolded in the heart of the capital, left six attackers and three soldiers injured, Foreign Minister and government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said in a televised address.
Earlier reports suggested the involvement of Boko Haram, raising fears of regional instability. However, Koulamallah later clarified that the attackers were likely an armed group from a district within N’Djamena, rather than external forces. The group’s motives remain unclear, and authorities have yet to disclose further details about their identity.
The swift response from Chad’s security forces brought the situation under control, according to Koulamallah, who assured citizens there was no cause for alarm. “The security situation is now stable, and there is no reason to panic,” he stated.
The incident has reignited concerns over security in Chad’s capital, as well as the government’s capacity to address threats from both internal and external armed groups. Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to uncover more details about the perpetrators and their objectives.
This attack comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity in Chad, following recent events that have placed the country’s stability in the spotlight.