Turkey extends condolences to Chad over attack by Boko Haram

By Faruk Zorlu and Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Thursday extended its condolences to Chad over the loss of more than 20 soldiers in an attack by Boko Haram terrorists.

"We are deeply saddened by the news that tens of soldiers lost their lives and many were wounded in the terrorist attack perpetrated by the terrorist organization Boko Haram near the Cameroon border in the Lake Chad region on 5 August 2021," a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said.

"We condemn this heinous terrorist attack and extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, to the friendly and brotherly people and Government of Chad and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded," the statement added.

Some 24 Chadian soldiers were killed when Boko Haram terrorists attacked an army position in the Lake Chad region, the country's military confirmed.

The position is located in the Tchoukoutalia area of Lac province, army spokesman Gen. Azem Bermandoa Agouna told reporters in the capital, N'Djamena.

The soldiers were returning from a routine patrol operation when they were attacked, said Agouna, who added that several military personnel were missing and that the army launched a counter-offensive with troops from a multinational force.