Chad Labels Sudanese General's Threat as 'Act of War'

Chad has condemned a threat issued by a Sudanese general to target its airports, labeling it a "declaration of war" and emphasizing the country's commitment to national sovereignty and regional stability.

Chad has expressed its outrage following remarks from Sudanese Lt-Gen Yasir al-Atta, who warned that airports in Chad may soon be seen as legitimate military targets. This declaration comes amid escalating accusations that the UAE is funneling weapon supplies to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) using Chadian airports. In a strong counterstatement, Chad's foreign ministry asserted that any attack on its territory would invoke international law responses. The Sudanese military's claims of external military support underscore the complexities of the ongoing civil war, which has triggered a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

The friction between the two nations intensified after a Sudanese army officer was killed in a drone attack by the RSF, leading to threats of "retaliatory action" against Chad, South Sudan, and the UAE. Despite Sudan's accusations, Chad has maintained a neutral stance, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the conflict. As fighting continues in Darfur, the RSF recently claimed control over strategic areas, complicating the humanitarian landscape and heightening fears of a spillover conflict in the region, exacerbating existing tensions and instability.

The RSF has entrenched its position in Darfur, where allegations have surfaced regarding the targeting of ethnic groups associated with the military, prompting both internal dislocation and regional displacement. As humanitarian aid efforts struggle amidst the violence, the possibility of an urgent need for international diplomatic intervention grows increasingly urgent. Observers warn of a potential de-facto partition of Sudan, with significant implications for Chad’s stability and security in the face of an unrelenting conflict.