Sudan Drone Attack Kills 17 in Chad Border Town of Tine

A deadly Sudan drone attack has killed at least 17 people in the border town of Tine in eastern Chad, according to the Chadian government.

The attack happened late Wednesday and marks another dangerous spillover from the ongoing conflict in Sudan into neighboring Chad.

Rising Tensions Along Chad-Sudan Border

Officials said the drone strike originated from Sudan, where fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has continued since April 2023.

Despite repeated warnings and border security measures, violence has continued to cross into Chad. The government had earlier closed its border with Sudan on February 23 to reduce the risk of escalation.

However, authorities confirmed that the town of Tine was once again targeted.

A government spokesperson stated:
“This latest attack is extremely serious. It has resulted in the deaths of 17 of our citizens and left several others injured.”

Conflicting Claims Over Responsibility

Earlier reports suggested that the RSF carried out the drone strike. However, the group denied responsibility and blamed the Sudanese army in a statement shared on Telegram.

The Sudan conflict, now entering its third year, has caused widespread instability across the region. Border communities remain especially vulnerable to attacks.

Chad Orders Military Response

Following the incident, President Mahamat Idriss Deby convened an emergency meeting of the defence and security council.

He ordered the military to respond immediately to any further attacks from Sudan.

According to a presidency statement, Chad’s army has been instructed to retaliate against any aggression starting from the night of the attack.

Ongoing Violence in Darfur Region

The Darfur region in western Sudan remains a major hotspot in the conflict. The RSF currently controls most of the area after capturing key cities, including El-Fasher.

In February, the RSF also claimed control of the Sudanese border town of Tina, located directly opposite Tine in Chad.

The two towns are separated only by a narrow, often dry water channel, making cross-border movement easy.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The Sudan conflict has had devastating consequences. According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have been killed, while more than 12 million have been displaced.

Nearly one million refugees have fled into Chad, putting additional pressure on already fragile communities.

The long and largely unprotected Chad-Sudan border, which stretches about 1,400 kilometres, remains difficult to secure.