2025 N'Djamena attack
| 2025 N'Djamena attack | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Boko Haram insurgency | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
 Chad National Army | Boko Haram | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
|
2 killed[1][2] 5 wounded[2] |
18 killed[2] 6 wounded[2] | ||||
On 8 January 2025 at around 8:45 pm,[3][4] gunfire broke out in N'Djamena, Chad,[5] near the presidential palace.[3][5][6] It was later confirmed that the palace itself had been attacked by unidentified gunmen. At least 20 people were killed in the attack, including 18 gunmen and two soldiers.
Background
[edit]Since 2014, Boko Haram has been active in western Chad, launching cross-border attacks from the Nigerian border against civilian and military targets in western Chad.[7] In 2024, attacks by the militant group in Chad intensified, culminating in a raid on a Chadian military base near the village of Ngouboua, which left 40 Chadian soldiers dead.[8]
The increased violence by the group comes amid a withdrawal of French forces from the region.[9] France, traditionally a strong ally of the Chadian government, has provided military aid to Chad in the previous decades, offering training for the Chadian military and intervening with airstrikes against insurgents.[10] On 29 November 2024, during a visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to N'Djamena, the Chadian government announced an end to Chad's defense agreement with France, and requested French military personnel leave the country.[11] By December, most French troops had left Chad, with the remaining troops due to leave by the end of January.[12]
Events
[edit]At least 24 armed men, allegedly belonging to Boko Haram,[13][14][15] attacked the interior of the presidential palace[3][16] in a mass shooting[14] and car bombing[17] attack.[18] Chadian President Mahamat Déby was inside the Palace at the time of the attack.[15] According to Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, 18 attackers were killed and six were injured, while two members of the security forces were killed and five were critically injured.[1][2] Koulamallah added that the attackers were local youth from N'Djamena and were disorganized and intoxicated by alcohol and drugs.[19]
The attack happened hours after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the capital.[3] Civilians rushed out in cars and motorcycles.[20][4]
In response to the attack, the Chad National Army blocked all roads leading to the presidential palace,[21] and defense and armored personnel were deployed on the streets,[13] driving towards the palace.[5] Tanks could be seen in the capital.[20]
Reactions
[edit]Infrastructure Minister Aziz Mahamat Saleh posted on his Facebook page, "Nothing serious, no panic; the situation is under control."[13] Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video posted on Facebook "It was a little incident ... everything is calm. ... This whole attempt at destabilization has been wiped out."[5]
The Chinese foreign ministry said it firmly supports Chad's efforts to ensure its safety and stability.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Attack on Chad's presidential palace leaves 20 dead, 11 injured". Xinhua News Agency. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Fighting At Chad Presidency Leaves 19 Dead Including 18 Attackers: Government". Barron's. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Tchad: tirs nourris dans le centre de N'Djamena, près de la présidence". Le Figaro (in French). 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ a b Dakaractu. "Tchad: tirs nourris dans le centre de N'Djamena, près de la présidence". DAKARACTU.COM (in French). Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Chad: Gunfire heard near presidency in N'Djamena". dw.com. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Gunshots heard near presidency in Chad capital N'Djamena, residents and AFP say". The Jerusalem Post. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "A Decade After Chibok: Assessing Nigeria's Regional Response to Boko Haram". Armed Conflict Location and Event Data. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Jihadist attack near Lake Chad leaves 40 dead, president orders retaliation". Radio France Internationale. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Frexit: Why Ivory Coast is joining African campaign to expel French troops". Al Jazeera. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "France hands over first base in Chad during withdrawal from former colony". Al Jazeera. 26 December 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Chad breaks off defense agreement with France, a slap in the face for Paris". Le Monde. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "French hands over first military base as part of withdrawal from Chad". Radio France Internationale. 27 December 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Alwihda. "Tchad : situation sous contrôle après des tirs nourris d'armes à N'Djamena". Alwihda Info – Actualités TCHAD, Afrique, International (in French). Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ a b "بعد إطلاق نار قرب القصر الرئاسي.. السلطات التشادية: الوضع تحت السيطرة". مصراوي.كوم (in Arabic). Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ a b "قتلى وجرحى بهجوم لبوكو حرام على القصر الرئاسي في تشاد". العربية (in Arabic). 9 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Gunfire heard near the presidency of Chad's capital, military vehicles seen". Reuters.
- ^ "تشاد.. محاولة لاقتحام قصر الرئاسة بسيارة مفخخة". سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Attaque au Tchad: Une fusillade éclate près du palais présidentiel à N'Djamena". Tribune de Genève (in French). 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Attack on Chad's presidential palace leaves 19 dead". AP News. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Gunfire Heard Near Presidency In Chad Capital: AFP". Barron's. AFP. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Gunfire heard near presidency in Chad's capital N'Djamena". France 24. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ "Chad say military foiled armed assault on presidential complex, 19 killed". Al Jazeera. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2025.