Chad Warns Sudan of Retaliation after Drone Strike on Mourners Kills 17

The attack drew condemnation from several quarters, including from the National Assembly and MPs from the ruling party.

“The government bows with deep dismay to the memory of the victims and extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” a statement by the government spokesman said.

The spokesman said Chad had now “strengthened the posture of its defence and security forces” and was ready to pursue its rights inside Sudanese territory “in strict compliance with the rules of international law”.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls most of the western Darfur region bordering Chad, is suspected of carrying out the attack. It denies any involvement and blames Sudan’s army, which has blamed the RSF.

The Sudanese government has often accused Chad of supporting the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, claims which N’Djamena denies.

Sudan has been plagued by a civil war that broke out in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle between its army and the RSF.

The ongoing war has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million people, nearly one million of them to Chad, according to the UN.

Chad shares a 1,400km-long (870 miles) border with Sudan that is porous and often difficult to control.

Its order to retaliate against future attacks from Sudan raises fears of a possible escalation of the violence in the region. BBC