The State Department on Sunday ordered non-important US personnel from Chad amid growing concerns about the advancing rebel forces in the country.
Reuters reported that a State Department spokesman confirmed the move and pointed out that the rebel groups were near the country’s capital.
“Because of their increasing proximity to N’Djamena and the possibility of violence in the city, non-essential U.S. government personnel were ordered to leave Chad through the commercial airline,” the spokesman said.
The Hill reached out to the State Department for further comment.
Rebel groups have repeatedly tried to overthrow Idriss Déby, Chad’s self-proclaimed president who has ruled the country for more than three decades after launching a successful coup. Déby is backed by France and the US, which sees him and the country as a key ally against Islamic extremists in the region.
Insurgents posted on social media late last week that they had overtaken a Chadian army base in the country’s northern region, claiming that the army was receiving logistical support from France.
According to Reuters, a statement from a Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) spokesperson reads, despite the logistical support of the French air force.
The French Ministry of Defense did not want to confirm to the news service whether he was involved in the ongoing security efforts in Chad.