N'Djamena [Chad], March 25: Chad has condemned a senior Sudanese general's threat to target its airports, calling it a "declaration of war." Its foreign ministry said it would respond according to international law if a "square metre of Chadian territory is threatened".
The warning follows comments from Lt-Gen Yasir al-Atta, the deputy commander of Sudan's army, who said the UAE was using Chad's airports to deliver weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Sudanese army has repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting its rival, the RSF, throughout the brutal two-year civil war, which has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
Speaking at a ceremony for an army officer killed in a drone attack by the RSF on Friday while the army was recapturing the presidential palace, he said airports in Chad's capital N'Djamena and the eastern city Amdjarass were "legitimate targets".
Chad has positioned itself as neutral, but the war of words exposes the growing regional instability caused by Sudan's civil war, which is complicated by the involvement of external players. "General al-Atta should stop uttering foolish threats and focus on the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and engage without delay in a constructive dialogue in favour of a peaceful and lasting solution," said Chad, highlighting that it is hosting hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, mostly from the neighbouring region of Darfur, which is largely under RSF control. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune