In an unprecedented move, Chad’s President personally leads an anti-jihadist campaign to curb extremist threats. Explore the impact of this direct military engagement.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is “personally” spearheading an army counter-offensive against Boko Haram following a deadly attack by the jihadist group on a military garrison, according to a statement from the presidency on Thursday.
Around 40 people were killed by jihadists during a raid on the base in the Lake Chad region from late Sunday to Monday. This area has been troubled by armed groups.
According to a Facebook post by the presidency, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who also serves as the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces, remains stationed on the outskirts of Lake Chad where he is personally overseeing operation ‘Haskanite.’
A photograph of 40-year-old Deby in uniform accompanied the post.
Deby is conducting multiple meetings, giving instructions and guidance to ensure there are no opportunities for Boko Haram members, it added.
In another Facebook post, it stated that the mobilized ground and air forces “have gone into action.”
A senior officer from the general staff, who wished to remain anonymous, informed AFP that an “hideout” had been detected from the air.
Prime Minister Abderahim Bireme Hamid announced on Wednesday that the jihadists had killed approximately 40 people and injured 37 others.
The prime minister stated that the government’s operation is designed to “not only ensure the safety of our peaceful population,” but also to “locate, eliminate, and destroy Boko Haram’s ability to cause harm along with its affiliates.”
Chad has urged the international community to increase their support for counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The expansive Lake Chad region, encompassing areas of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, is infamously known as a refuge for Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have established camps on the islands within its marshlands.
In 2009, Boko Haram initiated an insurgency in Nigeria that has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 individuals and displaced two million people. This conflict has subsequently expanded into neighboring countries.
In March 2020, Chad’s military experienced its largest single-day loss when approximately 100 soldiers were killed at their base in Bohoma, situated on the shores of Lake Chad.
In April 2021, Mahamat Deby was declared head of state by the military following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled for 30 years before being killed by rebels. He frequently led field operations himself.Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is “personally” spearheading an army counter-offensive against Boko Haram following a deadly attack by the jihadist group on a military garrison, according to a statement from the presidency on Thursday.
Around 40 people were killed by jihadists during a raid on the base in the Lake Chad region from late Sunday to Monday. This area has been troubled by armed groups.
READ ALSO: At Least 40 Soldiers Killed in Deadly Attack on Chadian Military Base
According to a Facebook post by the presidency, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who also serves as the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces, remains stationed on the outskirts of Lake Chad where he is personally overseeing operation ‘Haskanite.’
A photograph of 40-year-old Deby in uniform accompanied the post.
Deby is conducting multiple meetings, giving instructions and guidance to ensure there are no opportunities for Boko Haram members, it added.
In another Facebook post, it stated that the mobilized ground and air forces “have gone into action.”
A senior officer from the general staff, who wished to remain anonymous, informed AFP that an “hideout” had been detected from the air.
Prime Minister Abderahim Bireme Hamid announced on Wednesday that the jihadists had killed approximately 40 people and injured 37 others.
The prime minister stated that the government’s operation is designed to “not only ensure the safety of our peaceful population,” but also to “locate, eliminate, and destroy Boko Haram’s ability to cause harm along with its affiliates.”
Chad has urged the international community to increase their support for counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The expansive Lake Chad region, encompassing areas of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, is infamously known as a refuge for Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have established camps on the islands within its marshlands.
In 2009, Boko Haram initiated an insurgency in Nigeria that has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 individuals and displaced two million people. This conflict has subsequently expanded into neighboring countries.
In March 2020, Chad’s military experienced its largest single-day loss when approximately 100 soldiers were killed at their base in Bohoma, situated on the shores of Lake Chad.
In April 2021, Mahamat Deby was declared head of state by the military following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled for 30 years before being killed by rebels. He frequently led field operations himself.
AFP
