Hungarian legislature green-lights deployment of troops to Chad

Hungary will send up to 400 troops to Chad to protect the interests of the European country and assist international forces in the region in the fight against terrorism.

The decision was validated by the parliament on Monday November 6.

The troops will arrive as late as December 31, Alwihda Info reports, citing local Hungarian media.

The soldiers will be equipped with weapons and other tools. Their assignments consist in providing advice, support and supervision on the battlefield, to protect Hungarian citizens and interests on the spot, and to support the fight against terrorism, in cooperation with allied international forces, if necessary, and to deploy as required.

Their tasks also include military missions on the territory of Chad’s neighbors in support of the missions of The Hungary Helps Agency Nonprofit Public Limited Company, in the event of an international legal mandate or invitation from the State, in order to protect Hungarian citizens and Hungarian interests in that country.

“Supporting Chad for a safer Europe! Hungary’s mission to Chad is about halting migration, fighting terrorism, and fostering local development,” Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on X.

“We believe in taking the help where it’s needed, not bringing trouble home,” he added.

The deployment comes in response to an invitation dating back to September 19 from Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.