40 soldiers gunned down as Chadian forces clash with Boko Haram

At least 40 Chadian soldiers were killed in a violent attack on their base at Barkaram Island on Sunday evening, according to a statement from the Chadian presidency.

President Mahamat Déby swiftly responded by launching a counter-offensive aimed at capturing those responsible for the assault.

The attack, which took place in a marshy area of the drastically receded Lake Chad, remains under investigation. Although the presidency’s statement did not name specific suspects, the region’s proximity to Nigeria and Niger, where Islamist militants operate, raises suspicions about possible involvement by armed groups, with Boko Haram being a prime suspect, according to local sources cited by AFP.

Reports suggest that around 200 soldiers were stationed at the Barkaram garrison during the attack. The attackers reportedly seized ammunition and equipment before retreating, marking a significant blow to Chadian forces—the worst since a 2020 raid that claimed around 100 lives. This recent incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by the Lake Chad basin, which is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.

President Déby, a trained elite soldier and son of the late President Idriss Déby, visited the site on Monday to honor fallen soldiers, support the wounded, and rally his troops. This assault tests Chad’s resilience as it continues to serve as a regional counterterrorism ally. However, analysts caution that Islamist militants often regroup when military forces withdraw, indicating a need for strengthened strategies and resources for the Multinational Joint Task Force that operates within the basin.

Chad’s stability, viewed as essential by Western allies, stands in contrast to the recent coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where military leaders have cited failures to contain Islamist threats as grounds for overthrowing civilian governments.