Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched an attacked a United Nations peacekeepers base at Aguelhok 200 kilometres (about 125 miles) north of Kidal nearer the border with Algeria, on Sunday 20 January, in which “ten peacekeepers from Chad were killed and at least 25 injured,” a statement from UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, said.

The Islamic terrorist Jihadi, which claimed responsibility, said it carried out the attack in reaction to the restoration of diplomatic ties, after 47 years, between Israel and Chad and the visit of President Netanyahu to the country. 

The Israeli president had described his visit to Chad as “a breakthrough into the heart of the Muslim world.”

Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the UN envoy for Mali, describing the attack said “Peacekeepers of the MINUSMA force at Aguelhok fought off a sophisticated attack by assailants who arrived on several armed vehicles,” he said in a statement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, strongly condemned the attack in Mali which hosts about 13,000 peacekeepers as part of a UN mission. 

Chad Republic has been the hub of radical Islamic insurgency and terrorism for decades. The Boko Haram Islamic terrorist Jihad group is suspected to have an operational base in the country as well as other Islamic terrorist cells from where they launch attacks in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries. Chad also hosts western and multinational forces combating the radical Jihadi groups.

Date published: 26/01/2019
Written by: Hassan John
Feature image: UN Peacekeepers
Article source: globalchristiannews.org