A drone attack attributed to the ongoing conflict in Sudan has claimed the lives of 17 individuals in the border town of Tine, located in eastern Chad, as reported by the Chadian government. This incident, which occurred late Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the spillover effects of the brutal conflict raging in Sudan since April 2023.
The paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been engaged in intense fighting against the Sudanese army, leading to numerous cross-border encounters that have spilled violence into Chad. The recent drone strike in Tine follows multiple operations by the RSF near the border, which have resulted in fatalities on the Chadian side.
In response to the violence, Chad had previously closed its border on February 23, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with the ongoing conflict. However, a government spokesman voiced concern over the repeated violations, stating that, despite stern warnings issued to the warring factions in Sudan and the border closure, Tine remained vulnerable to attacks.
Initially, late Wednesday reports estimated that 16 people had been killed in the drone strike; however, the toll was later revised to 17. Several others sustained injuries during the attack. The RSF has denied involvement, attributing the attack to the Sudanese army, their adversary in the ongoing civil war.
In light of the rising threat, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby convened an emergency meeting with defense and security officials. Following this, he ordered the military to initiate retaliatory measures against any aggressions originating from Sudan.
The town of Tine has already suffered from past violence; a rocket attack from Sudan earlier this year resulted in the deaths of both soldiers and civilians. Tine itself has been susceptible to clashes, given its proximity to the border. It lies in a desert region with a porous boundary that stretches around 1,400 kilometers, making control challenging.
Further complicating the situation, the RSF gained significant ground in Darfur, controlling vast areas and announcing their takeover of the border town of Tina—directly adjacent to Tine in Chad—just months earlier. The ripple effects of Sudan’s civil war are profound, with tens of thousands dead and over 12 million displaced, including nearly one million seeking refuge in Chad, according to United Nations estimates. The escalating violence highlights the urgent need for stability and diplomatic efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
