Sudan has rejected accusations that it conducted airstrikes in Chad territory, as it stressed its commitment to stable relations with its neighbours.

Chad had accused its eastern neighbour of pursuing and bombing a military convoy more than 100 km (62 miles) inside its territory in Ennedi region last week. It said there were no casualties among its forces but alert has been raised to its highest level.

In a statement, Sudan’s foreign ministry said the accusations were made without an independent investigation.

“The government of the Republic of Sudan fully respects the sovereignty of the Republic of Chad, its territorial integrity and the safety of its borders,” the ministry said, adding that Sudan remained committed to “brotherly relations, good neighbourliness and the common interests” linking the two countries.

The ministry said it “is surprised by positions that categorically attribute responsibility to the Sudanese Armed Forces”.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has been entangled in a civil war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, according to the UN.

Cross-border threats

Chad has previously raised concerns over cross-border threats linked to the conflict. UN experts have said Chad has been used as a route for weapons supplies from foreign countries to the RSF, although Chad has denied the allegations.

In response to the reported drone attack, Chad has deployed around 100 armoured vehicles and electronic-jamming trucks near the eastern town of Tine, close to the Sudanese border, according to a local source cited by Reuters.

Sudan also reiterated its commitment to stable relations with both Chad and Ethiopia, calling for border and security issues to be addressed through direct dialogue and coordination.