At least 17 killed in Chad border clashes between herders, gendarmes, and Sudanese armed groups

A brutal attack on a herder camp in eastern Chad has left at least 17 people dead, according to local authorities. The violence erupted near the town of Tiné, a region increasingly destabilized by conflicts spilling over from neighboring Sudan.

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It was a nightmare. They arrived very quickly, on motorcycles, shooting everywhere. We lost family members and friends. At least twelve of our relatives, including four women, were killed.

Early Sunday morning, armed assailants arrived on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately into the village of Zeribé in Wadi Fira province. Residents reported that the attackers set homes ablaze and killed people as they slept or tried to flee. Ousmane Bakhit, the head of the attacked camp, described the scene as a "nightmare," stating that at least twelve of his relatives, including four women, were killed.

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They are lawless men. We ask the Chadian government to strengthen security because we can no longer live with this constant fear.

Captain Idriss Mahamat of the Tiné gendarmerie acknowledged that forces arrived late but managed to kill five attackers. He condemned the "cowardly attack" and promised increased security patrols in the coming days to protect the local population. "We will secure the area and pursue those responsible," Mahamat stated.

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We arrived late to the scene, but we managed to kill five of the attackers.

The eastern Chad region has become a flashpoint since the civil war erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The border area frequently sees clashes between local herders and armed groups crossing from Sudan for looting or intercommunal reprisals. The United Nations Refugee Agency reported in January that over 910,000 Sudanese have fled into Chad, adding to existing humanitarian challenges.

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We deplore this cowardly attack that claimed the lives of twelve of our fellow citizens. We will secure the area and pursue those responsible. Reinforced patrols will be deployed in the coming days to protect the local population.