An air strike on a fuel market near Chad’s border with Sudan resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injuries to seven, according to officials. The Chadian government has accused the Sudanese army of carrying out the strike. A Chadian security source reported that the strike targeted a fuel market where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) refuel, as reported by AFP news agency. This accusation occurs amid an ongoing civil war between Sudan’s army and the RSF that has lasted over three years and displaced millions.
Chad previously accused Sudan of being responsible for an air strike that hit a military convoy within its territory last week. The Chadian army stated that the strikes occurred more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) inside Chad's eastern Ennedi region, with no reported Chadian casualties. In response to drone threats, Chad raised its alert level to the highest point in the area and deployed approximately 100 armored vehicles and signal-jamming trucks near eastern Tine, close to the Sudanese border, according to a local source cited by Reuters.
In response to the accusations, Sudan expressed surprise at the allegations against its army, stating that they were made before any professional and independent investigation into the incident. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that its forces are fulfilling their constitutional duty to protect the country's sovereignty and security while respecting the sovereignty of neighboring countries. The US embassy in Khartoum also condemned the Sudanese army for the recent strikes on Chad. The Sudanese army has previously accused Chad of aligning with the RSF. Additionally, nearly one million displaced Sudanese individuals have fled to Chad, where they are facing a water crisis.