Chad has ordered a complete closure of its border with Sudan following a deadly drone strike that claimed at least 17 lives and injured several others during a funeral gathering.
President Idris Mahamat Déby, dressed in military uniform, convened an emergency security meeting on Wednesday evening, directing the armed forces to remain on high alert and to respond decisively to any further attacks.
Describing the assault in the border town of Tiné as "outrageous and a blatant aggression" against Chad's territorial integrity, Déby said the strike occurred despite repeated warnings to both sides of the conflict in Sudan and a prior border closure.
The government’s spokesman expressed sorrow over the attack, noting that the victims were mourners attending a funeral ceremony that included readings from the Koran. "The government bows with deep dismay to the memory of the victims and extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families," the statement said.
Chad had previously closed its border with Sudan last month to prevent repeated incursions by Sudanese armed groups, allowing only limited crossings on humanitarian grounds with prior approval.
Following Wednesday’s attack, the spokesman said Chad had now "strengthened the posture of its defence and security forces" and was prepared to assert its rights within Sudanese territory "in strict compliance with the rules of international law."
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls much of western Darfur along the Chad border, is suspected of carrying out the strike.
The RSF denies involvement and blames Sudan’s army, which has yet to respond. Sudan’s government has frequently accused Chad of supporting the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, allegations N’Djamena rejects.
Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023, following a bitter power struggle between the army and the RSF. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced over 13 million people, nearly one million of whom have fled to Chad, according to UN estimates.
Chad’s 1,400km-long border with Sudan is porous and challenging to secure, raising concerns that the order to retaliate against future attacks could escalate violence across the region.