Chad has placed its forces along the Sudanese border on maximum alert after accusing the Sudanese Armed Forces of carrying out an airstrike against a military convoy deep inside Chadian territory.
A Chadian security source said troops had been reinforced with equipment designed to counter the growing threat posed by drones. Around 100 armoured vehicles and signal-jamming trucks were reportedly deployed near the eastern border town of Tine.
Chad’s military said Sudanese aircraft and drones pursued and bombed a convoy in the eastern Ennedi region on August 20. The alleged strikes occurred more than 100 kilometres inside Chad, but no Chadian casualties were reported.
“The alert level has been raised to its maximum,” the security source said, adding that forces were strengthening their positions with equipment adapted to confront drones.
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry expressed surprise that the army had been blamed before an independent investigation was conducted.
It said Sudanese forces were carrying out their constitutional responsibility to defend the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity while respecting neighbouring states and avoiding attacks on their territory.
The dispute comes amid Sudan’s civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has continued for more than three years and fuelled concerns about instability spreading across the region.
The African Union has urged all sides to exercise restraint and prevent Sudan’s conflict from spilling across international borders or escalating tensions with neighbouring countries.
