19 people died in the attack on the presidential palace in Chad

N’DJAMENA, Chad — On Thursday, state media reported that 18 attackers were killed, six were in custody, one soldier was killed and three were wounded in the attack on the presidential palace in Chad.

The attack on Wednesday evening occurred while Chadian President Mahamat Deby Itno was at the palace, but authorities say the situation was quickly brought under control.

“The situation is completely under control. There is no fear,” Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulallah said, surrounded by troops, during a Facebook live broadcast filmed late Wednesday in what appeared to be a quiet presidential palace.

In an interview with state television, Koulallah praised the vigilance of palace guards, describing the attackers as disorganized and under the influence of alcohol and drugs. When asked if the attack was terrorist in nature, he replied that it was probably not because the attackers were local youths from the capital N’Djamena.

The attack occurred on the same day as the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who congratulated Deby Itno on restoring constitutional order.

Immediately afterwards, rumors spread online that the attack was the work of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.

Boko Haram, which began an insurgency against Western education more than a decade ago, is seeking to establish Islamic law in northeastern Nigeria. The uprising spread to neighboring West African countries, including Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Chad, a country of almost 18 million people, has been struggling with political turmoil before and after controversial presidential elections that ended with Deby Itno’s victory. He led the country as interim president during the period of military rule that followed his father’s death in 2021.