Chad’s armed forces have reported significant progress in their latest offensive against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.
The operation, named “Haskanite,” commenced on October 28 and escalated on November 7 with ground and riverine troops moving into Kaiga Kindjiria.
According to the army’s spokesperson, General Chanane Issaka Acheck, the first major encounter with Boko Haram fighters resulted in several militants being neutralized.
“Following hours of intense combat, numerous terrorists were neutralized.
The cleanup operation continues,” stated the army in a November 9 communiqué.
As of this date, the Chadian military has intensified aerial bombardments targeting Boko Haram strongholds in the Lake Chad area.
Controversy Surrounds Civilian Casualties Claims
However, the military campaign has not been without controversy. Nigeria’s fishing community has alleged that Chadian airstrikes killed dozens of its members.
Abubakar Gamandi, head of the Nigerian Fishermen’s Association, told RFI, “Many of our members were hit in the attacks; some were injured and taken to Doron Baga’s military hospital for treatment. For those killed in the wilderness, we cannot give precise numbers.”
Responding to these accusations, Chad’s government spokesperson Abdraman Koulamallah denied any civilian casualties, asserting, “This operation targeted specific military objectives, jihadists were neutralized, but no civilians were harmed.”
Background to Operation ‘Haskanite’
The operation was launched in retaliation for an October attack by Boko Haram on a Chadian military base in the Lake Chad region, resulting in the deaths of approximately 40 soldiers.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno personally oversaw the military response from the frontlines, only returning to the capital on November 9 after spending nearly two weeks with troops in the field.
