Chadian Presidential Palace Attack Leaves 19 Dead

Government claims a disorganized group of attackers was neutralized, raising questions about motives and security vulnerabilities.

A group of 24 attackers armed with knives and machetes stormed Chad's presidential palace in N'Djamena on Wednesday evening, resulting in 19 deaths, including 18 assailants and one guard.
The Chadian government stated the attackers were likely intoxicated individuals from a poor neighborhood, dismissing initial claims of terrorism or links to Boko Haram.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno was inside the palace during the attack, which occurred shortly after his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The incident follows Chad's recent termination of a decades-long military agreement with France and ongoing political tensions after controversial elections boycotted by opposition groups.
Critics and observers have raised concerns over the ease of access the attackers had to the presidential compound, pointing to potential security lapses and broader instability in the region.