On February 8, 2025, clashes between the Chadian army and an alliance of Sudanese armed groups resulted in 19 casualties, including six soldiers killed. Two commanders were captured, and communication breakdowns were cited as the cause of the incident. The Neutral Force to Protect Civilians aims to facilitate humanitarian aid and protect citizens amidst ongoing conflicts involving various factions in the volatile tri-border area.
On February 8, 2025, an armed alliance, consisting of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Nur and the Gathering of Liberation Forces of Sudan (GLFS) led by Tahir Hajar, engaged in conflict with the Chadian army after entering Chadian territory. This confrontation resulted in 19 casualties, including the deaths of six Chadian soldiers and injuries to approximately 13 others. Additionally, two commanders from the alliance were captured, and three military vehicles were destroyed, according to military sources.
The fighting took place in a tri-border area between Sudan, Libya, and Chad, where the alliance had recently advanced. The captured commanders are reportedly now held in the Chadian town of Amdjarass. This incident highlights the increasing tensions in the region, fueled by paramilitary activities and cross-border operations involving various armed groups.
Since January 12, the Neutral Force to Protect Civilians (NFPC) was activated to deliver humanitarian assistance and protect civilians in Darfur. Following military discussions, it was designed to establish security measures amid escalating violence. The alliance claimed their forces were attacked due to a breakdown in communication with the Chadian border protection unit, leading to their losses.
The NFPC has publicly apologized to the Chadian government for this miscommunication, requesting the return of captured soldiers and seized equipment. In their statement, they expressed their intention to cooperate with Chadian authorities on security matters affecting both nations’ populations.
This conflict comes amid ongoing skirmishes in the region, particularly involving the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Earlier, the NFPC reported heavy casualties in a prior attack by the RSF on January 16 in North Darfur, which resulted in significant fatalities among civilians and soldiers, along with the destruction of military assets.
The recent conflict between the Chadian army and armed groups in the region reflects longstanding instability in the tri-border area of Sudan, Chad, and Libya. This region has seen various factions vying for control, exacerbated by the presence of weapons flowing in from neighboring countries, particularly through paramilitary groups like the RSF. The NFPC was established to counter these threats and facilitate civilian protection and humanitarian aid amid the escalating violence. Inter-group communications remain crucial in avoiding further conflict, as highlighted by the recent breakdown that led to violent confrontations. The dynamics of cooperation between Chadian authorities and allied groups like the NFPC are essential for peace for both countries under the strain of multiple armed factions operating cross-border.
The armed clash between the Chadian army and the Sudanese alliance underscores the fragile security situation in the tri-border area. With significant casualties on both sides and the capture of military personnel, communication errors deemed responsible for the conflict point to the need for improved dialogue and coordination between armed groups and national authorities. The commitment of the NFPC to work alongside the Chadian government is a step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian and security challenges in the region.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
