Chad: Three-day national mourning to pay tribute to soldiers killed by Boko Haram

The Chadian government Wednesday decreed a three-day mourning nationwide to pay tribute to several soldiers killed in Lake Chad province by Boko Haram insurgents.

Armed forces posted in the province came under an attack attributed to Nigeria-based Boko Haram insurgent group.

The Chadian government in a statement said the attack which took place on Bouka-Toulloroum Island killed a dozen soldiers and wounded a dozen others.

The mourning according to the decree will go into effect from mid-night Wednesday Nov. 23 to Friday Nov. 25 midnight.

The decree also bans all non-authorized public gatherings across the territory while flags will be flown at half-mast.

The central African country is preparing a fitting response to the attack, the office of President of the transition Mahamat Idriss Deby, said according to Anadolu news agency.

Deby visited the province prior to the attack and pledged the deployment of additional 600 troops in addition to 9,000 already posted in the region to keep the terror group at bay.

Chad has been battling with the Nigeria-based and Islamic state affiliated group. Boko Haram has been causing havoc in the region.

The Chadian army’s biggest one-day loss was when Boko Haram killed 92 soldiers and wounded 47 more in March 2020.