Chad’s government has vehemently denied allegations that its military targeted civilians during a recent counter-terrorism operation in the Lake Chad region.
The operation, launched in response to a deadly Boko Haram attack on a Chadian military base, involved airstrikes on the Nigerian side of the lake.
However, local sources, including fishermen and anti-terror militia leaders, claim that the strikes killed numerous civilians, primarily fishermen.
They allege that the Chadian military mistook the fishermen for Boko Haram militants, who often blend in with the local population.
While the Chadian government maintains that its military operations are conducted with utmost care to avoid civilian casualties, a Chadian general staff officer acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing between civilians and militants in the conflict-ridden region.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential for civilian harm in counter-terrorism operations and underscores the complex challenges faced by security forces in the Lake Chad region.