Al-Tina, March 25(Darfur 24)
Chadian military aircrafts flew over the border areas with Sudan on Monday, according to eyewitnesses.
This development comes at the backdrop of escalating tensions between the two countries following statements by the Sudanese Army’s Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Yasser Al-Atta, where issued direct threats to target vital facilities inside Chad.
Eyewitnesses and local sources from the Sudanese border town of Tina told Darfur 24 that Chadian warplanes repeatedly flew over the area on Monday.
An informed military source, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed to Darfur 24 that an Antonov aircraft flew for hours on Monday evening over the border area.
The Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday condemning the statements of the Sudanese army’s assistant commander, considering them a “declaration of war” and a direct threat to Chad’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement affirmed that Chad takes these threats very seriously and will not hesitate to protect its territory in accordance with international law. It noted that Sudan has used various means to destabilize Chad for decades, from supporting rebellions to backing extremist groups.
On Sunday, the Sudanese army’s assistant commander, Yasser al-Atta, said that the Chadian airports of N’Djamena and Um Djeres are legitimate targets for the Sudanese army, adding, “We will undermine the Sudanese military centers influence in South Sudan.”
Yasser al-Atta’s remarks come after he accused Chad and South Sudan of supporting the Rapid Support ForcesRSF , which are waging a war with the Sudanese army for nearly three years.
This is not the first time Yasser al-Atta has accused Chad and South Sudan of involvement in the Sudanese conflict. He previously accused Chadian President Mohamed Kaka of receiving bribes from the UAE. He also stated that 65 percent of the RSF’ fighters are South Sudanese citizens.
This escalation comes at a time when Sudan is witnessing intense internal fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has strained its relations with neighboring countries, especially Chad, which hosts hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees.