At least 19 people killed in attack on presidential palace in Chad

At least 19 people, including 18 militants, were killed in an attack on the presidential palace in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, as per the Chadian government.

Earlier, the tchadinfos news outlet reported shots fired near the presidential palace in the centre of N’Djamena. Security officials said unidentified gunmen attacked the palace, but the assault was quickly put down. The Chadian armed forces repelled an attack by the Boko Haram terrorist group on the presidential palace.

According to the AFP news agency, the shooting also took place inside the presidential palace, but this information has not been confirmed by other sources.

Tanks and police units have been deployed to the palace. Residents of the capital are also heading there for a rally in support of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

The situation in the Chadian capital N’Djamena has returned to normal after the attempted destabilization, there is no reason for concern, the alwihda news outlet reported, citing a General Staff spokesman.

The attack by Boko Haram terrorists on the presidential palace was an attempt to destabilize the country, Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said.”The destabilization attempt has been foiled,” he said in an address to the nation.

Alwihda Info reported that video footage taken by soldiers of the presidential guard shortly after the clashes with the terrorists showed numerous bodies of the attackers neutralized on the grounds of the presidential palace.