The government of Chad has called for increased international backing in counter-terrorism efforts following a surprise attack by Boko Haram fighters that left around 40 Chadian soldiers dead.
The attack targeted a military base in the Lake Chad region late Sunday, according to a statement released by government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah. Military sources confirmed about 20 additional troops were wounded in the assault.
“The government is calling on the international community to intensify its support and to reinforce assistance in counter-terrorism efforts in particular in the Sahel region and Lake Chad basin,” the statement said, stressing the need for collective action to secure regional stability.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has since launched a military operation to track down the assailants, with security forces in active pursuit.
In a show of support, the French embassy in Chad expressed condolences on Facebook, reaffirming its alliance with Chad against terrorism.
The Lake Chad region’s challenging geography—a network of islands and swamps—has become a stronghold for militant groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, who often launch attacks on both the military and civilians. Since its 2009 inception in Nigeria, Boko Haram’s insurgency has spread across borders, claiming over 40,000 lives and displacing millions.
This week’s attack recalls a 2020 assault on the Bohoma peninsula, where Chad’s army suffered a record 100 casualties in a single day. As in 2020, the government has declared three days of national mourning, with flags lowered and public celebrations suspended.