Chad Accuses Sudan’s RSF of Killing Soldiers Near Border

Chadian authorities say at least seven of their soldiers were killed in a border clash with fighters from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s protracted civil war, a government spokesman said.

Spokesman Gassim Cherif told reporters that the incident occurred near the town of Tine, where armed fighters crossed into Chadian territory on Thursday. Chadian troops engaged the fighters after ordering them to withdraw, he said. A government official identified the attackers as elements of the RSF.

Chad has been affected by spillover from the conflict in Sudan, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since fighting erupted in April 2023. Around one million Sudanese refugees are estimated to be in Chad, according to the United Nations.

Officials said the RSF has carried out several cross-border attacks since October, including a drone strike on December 26 that killed two Chadian soldiers. Cherif urged all parties in the Sudanese conflict to respect Chad’s sovereignty and warned that further violations would not be tolerated.

“We cannot have our defence and security forces dragged into the conflict… or Chadians dying,” he said, describing the latest clash as a “final warning” to armed groups operating near the border.

SOURCE: AFP