At least 117 terrorists were killed by the Chadian army in the western part of the country during a military operation launched in response to an attack attributed to the jihadist group Boko Haram, which took place on October 27. Around 40 Chadian soldiers were also reported killed, according to military sources. The incident occurred in the Lake Chad region, a strategic area bordering Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria, where the Chadian armed forces set up a retaliatory operation.
« Under the direct command of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, the armed forces intensified their efforts to track down the perpetrators of this attack and to strengthen security in the region, » said Colonel Nour Adoum, head of a military unit in the Lake Chad area. He added: « This operation is a direct response to the attacks and demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to fighting terrorism and protecting the sovereignty of the country ».
Military authorities stated that, over the past three days, 117 terrorists were killed. As part of their response to the jihadist attacks, the Chadian army conducted another operation last Wednesday, during which at least 65 terrorists were killed, according to military officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno promised to strengthen efforts to eradicate these terrorist groups and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Lake Chad, a vast body of water shared by Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Nigeria, is home to numerous islands that serve as hideouts for jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP). These groups aim to establish an Islamic State, particularly in Nigeria, which is predominantly Muslim in the north and Christian in the south.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have caused the deaths of over 35,000 people and forced nearly 2.7 million people to flee their homes, primarily in Nigeria but also in neighboring countries such as Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, according to United Nations data. As of June 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded over 220,000 displaced persons in the Lake Chad region due to the attacks by armed groups.