Chad Closes Border with Sudan

Chad's President Closes Border with Sudan After Drone Attack: Presidential Office Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno – the current president of Chad. He assumed power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, and was officially sworn in in 2024 in a controversial election – convened an emergency meeting following the drone attack that killed several Chadian citizens, the presidential office announced. At least 17 people died in a drone attack on the border town of Tiné, near Sudan, on March 18, 2026. The attack occurred during a funeral and targeted civilians, including children. The drone attack originated in Sudan and is linked to the ongoing civil war there, in which the Forces de Soutien Rapide (FSR) are fighting the Sudanese army. The FSR deny responsibility and blame the Sudanese army, while the Chadian military initially suspected FSR drones. The Chadian government condemned the incident as an "extremely serious act of aggression" despite the closed border and vowed retaliation. President Mahamat Idriss Déby ordered the army to respond to further attacks from Sudan. MSF reported 123 injured, of whom 17 died and 66 are in critical condition. The president instructed Prime Minister Allamaye Halina to send a government delegation to the scene to assess the extent of the casualties and the material damage, according to the presidential office.