In an intense confrontation between the Chadian military and Boko Haram insurgents near Lake Chad, at least 15 Chadian soldiers were killed and 32 others sustained injuries. The encounter, part of an ongoing anti-insurgency campaign known as “Operation Haskanite,” also saw 96 Boko Haram fighters killed, with an additional 11 insurgents wounded, according to a statement by Chadian army spokesman General Issakh Acheikh on Sunday.
Speaking on national television, General Acheikh did not specify the exact location of the clash or detail the events that led to it. However, he emphasized that the army is actively working to stabilize the area. “The army assures the population that the situation is under control and that actions to track down residual elements continue as part of Operation Haskanite,” Acheikh stated.
The Lake Chad region has been a hotspot for insurgent activity, primarily led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. These groups, which originated in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, have spread across neighboring areas, intensifying security challenges in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
Chad’s ongoing efforts to secure the region have involved multiple campaigns to dismantle insurgent networks, with Operation Haskanite representing a recent push to contain and reduce militant influence around Lake Chad.