Chadian ground troops enter Nigeria to fight Boko Haram
Iran Press TV
Tue Feb 3, 2015 1:1PM
Chadian ground troops have stepped on Nigerian soil for the first time to assist the Abuja government in its battle against the Takfiri Boko Haram militants.
According to the Chadian national security spokesman, Mike Omeri, the troops equipped with armored vehicles crossed into Nigeria on Tuesday via a bridge that links the Cameroonian town of Fotokol with the northeastern Nigerian border town of Gamboru in the country's restive Borno State.
The Chadian official added that Gamboru, which had been under the occupation of the Takfiri militants for several months, was retaken from the terrorists over the weekend.
Chadian forces have only been launching air raids against the militants up until now. On Sunday, two Chadian military helicopters targeted the positions of Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists in Gamboru.
"Through these air strikes, we aim to neutralize the enemy to pave the way for Gamboru to be liberated," said a Chadian army officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In a separate operation on Sunday, Chadian and Cameroonian troops, traveling in armored vehicles, gathered in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol across the border from Gamboru.
Fotokol and its surroundings were the scene of clashes between Chadian soldiers and Boko Haram militants on January 29 and 30. According to Chad's military, four of its soldiers and 123 Boko Haram militants were killed during the two-day clashes in the Cameroonian town.
On January 18, Chadian soldiers were deployed to join neighboring Cameroon to help fight Nigeria's Boko Haram militants.
Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," controls large parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.
It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.
Boko Haram has also conducted terrorist attacks in Nigeria's neighboring countries, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
IA/MKA/SS
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