Luis Carballo tell his experience in Chad during a chat Tuesday at 15h CET. He will answer your questions in English, Spanish and French. You can send them to askluis@scribblelive.com or tweet using the hashtag #askeuronewsluis . You can also follow Luis on Twitter
For over a decade, the Islamist sect Boko Haram has aimed to create a caliphate in northern Nigeria. His ambition, based on terror, has now spread to neighboring countries. These, Chad, Niger and Cameroon in January have formed a military alliance to address and help the Nigerian government.
In early March, Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to the organization Islamic State (EI). This led alliance now faces a conflict of international concern, to speed up its offensive.
Euronews accompanied the Chadian army on the front line during the release of a major city in northern Nigeria.
"Boko Haram is a ruthless adversary. Die killing is, in essence, the fastest shortcut to paradise "
The last war in Africa engaged in the desert, between Nigeria, Niger and Chad. Three countries with porous borders. It pits a coalition of these states to one of the most barbaric and ruthless jihadist organizations in the world: the Nigerian group Boko Haram.
We are heading Malam Fatori. The route is dangerous. Troops from Chad and Niger controlled the city since March 31, but Boko Haram pockets of resistance remain in the area. A helicopter takes us where the military have been trying for several months to deprive the Islamist group from all its strongholds in north-eastern Nigeria.
Our match Luis Carballo has-been living Alongside the Chadian military to see first hand what Remains of Malam ...
Posted by euronews on Tuesday, April 7, 2015
These soldiers are hardened fighting men, accustomed to the rigors of a climate where heat can become overwhelming. However, they display a moral foolproof. Because they are convinced to be winning the war against the Islamists. If they ensure not to fear death, they know that their enemy has not scared either. Boko Haram is a ruthless adversary. Die killing is, in essence, the fastest shortcut to paradise in the arranged version of Islam leaders of this terrorist organization.
Hundreds of men on guard; dozens of armored vehicles: Here we 500m from the last town to be liberated, Malam Fatori. Among the soldiers, presence, there is unusual, two 4-star generals: the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Niger and Chad. We do not know when, but a few days later, a source close to the Chadian government asks us that they thought that the leader of Boko Haram,
Abubakar Shekau, was killed in the battle that broke out 24 hours after taking Malam Fatori.
"Malam Fatori were 30 000, and an important market. Distant memories. Today it is a ghost town. "
Since he took over, there was five, Shekau has transformed the organization into a real killing machine. In reality, the elusive warlord was not among the 200 members of Boko Haram that Chadian military say they have killed in the clashes. They themselves have lost 9 men.
The only visible trace of the fighting, they are weapons that we are assured to have recovered from slaughtered jihadists. There are about fifty of Kalashnikov assault rifles, probably stolen from the Nigerian army or abandoned by it. Some are also marked "NA" for Nigerian Army. And also, several heavy machine guns and numerous ammunition. Get weapons is not difficult here, traffic is a booming business in the region.
This joint operation is in the process of returning the situation on the ground. Taking Malam Fatori is indeed a major success in the fight against Boko Haram, which had made its command center to attack Niger and Chad. This Nigerian city is less than 4 km from the border with Niger.
The soldiers escorting us to the entrance. They alert us to the risk of booby traps and mines in homes. They also recommend us not to move away from the convoy.
The streets are deserted. The houses, empty. As well as shops. Before Boko Haram gets out in November 2014, Malam Fatori were 30 000, and an important market. Distant memories. Today it is a ghost town.
We will see mostly old people who could not flee. Some children. Few women. No young. "Boko Haram People fled when they saw that the soldiers were coming, says one woman. They went in all directions. Here and there. But before that, they told us to get out of the houses, and they have burned ... "
Other residents that record fleeing Boko Haram abducted dozens of girls. They forced them to undress completely so they do not run away, they say.
No one has heard from them ... Old women we confirm the kidnapping of young girls, and the murder of teenage boys.
"The shadow of Boko Haram flat here. The shadow of terror. The result of a Machiavellian strategy. "
"Boko Haram took the girls for forced marriage, says another woman. They also abducted children. And they have slain older. Why? Boko Haram had eyes and ears everywhere. They watched our every move. When we went out in the street, when we returned home. They were always there watching us ... "
The drama that comes from living Malam Fatori, like many other towns and villages of Nigeria, seems straight out of another era. So far this XXI century. Before, there was still only six months, children playing and laughing, neighbors talking. Today, Boko Haram has left its mark: intense fear.
A true collective psychosis now reigns here. To the point that it is impossible to distinguish between facts and rumors about massacres, assassinations, kidnappings. The shadow of Boko Haram flat here. The shadow of terror. The result of a Machiavellian strategy.
Chari River forms a natural border between Cameroon and Chad. However, a barrier easily traversable by canoe, or just swimming. On one hand, the latter
Cameroonian village Kousseri. On the other, a suburb of the Chadian capital N'Djamena.
Nguéli The bridge serves as a bridge between the two countries. Several thousand people and
tons of goods pass through daily. It was renovated two years ago to facilitate trade. Until recently, the main concern was the customs smugglers. But things have changed.
Security checks have been strengthened to prevent the risk of attacks and the flow of arms. As Boko Haram has carried out several attacks just a few km away, Cameroon side. The Chad therefore takes very seriously the threat of Islamist organization. This could also have serious consequences for the economy. Because the trade routes by Chad with key partners such as Nigeria and Cameroon are targeted.
The border with Nigeria is closed for over a year due to insecurity. The only option for Chad, an impoverished rural country importing many manufactured products, is Cameroon. However, goods arrive by potentially dangerous roads. The safe is therefore a top priority for the government of Chad.
"What these children lived, one can not wish for anyone, even his worst enemy."
Connect the Cameroonian port of Douala and Chad's capital N'Djamena by the original road is no longer possible as too risky. Trucks therefore borrow an alternative route, safer but much longer. This has the effect of increasing the cost of transportation, thus up the price of goods.
There has also an economic emergency for Chad to release this area. And its president, Idriss Deby, the imperative not to get bogged down in a long war against Boko Haram because it could end up stifling the country ...
To escape the atrocities committed by Boko Haram, some 20,000 Nigerians have crossed Lake Chad in the last three months, in search of refuge. Everyone has a story to tell about how the Islamists have changed the course of his life. Dar refugee camp es Salaam, Chad, is the new home to 4,000 displaced.
Number of families come from Baga, scene of one of the worst massacres perpetrated by Boko Haram. Many have seen their loved ones die. Some are injured. But the wounds that will more time to heal, it is the psychological trauma they suffered.
Boko Haram abuses videos were found by Chadian and Nigerien soldiers in mobile phones fighters of the terrorist group killed on 17 March.
Of mass executions images in Bama, Nigeria, and a Cameroonian village. Hundreds of civilians killed in cold blood. And among the assassins are teenagers ...
In the camp of Dar es Salaam, we see wandering children alone, everywhere. Their parents are dead or they lost them in the stampede massacres, on the other side of the lake.
The NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has set up psychological support for them but also for adults. "What these children lived, one can not wish for anyone, even his worst enemy, says the camp coordinator, Idriss Dezeh. Islamists tore them a part of their teens ... "
The Chadian government, UNICEF, UNHCR, the Red Cross and NGOs are working to provide nearly 800 children who have experienced the worst so the possibility of finding life pretty normal. In makeshift schools installed under large tents, they learn songs in French. A foreign language for them.
At dusk, the men gather to pray. This, strangely, on behalf of the same prayers as their executioners trying to impose their law, by blood. For the vast majority of victims of Boko Haram are Muslims.
Chadian President Idriss Deby has ruled the country for nearly 25 years. During this quarter century, he found himself engaged, directly or indirectly, in most of the conflicts in the region. He told Euronews reasons for the Chad involvement in this war against jihadism. A matter of survival.
"Boko Haram is supported, Boko Haram is funded, Boko Haram has received equipment, including armored vehicles on the ground. Who? I do not know. "
Euronews
Mr. Chairman, what is the magnitude of the Boko Haram threat to Chad now?
Idriss Déby
Until 2013, the actions of Boko Haram targeted Nigeria. From the end of 2013, Boko Haram began to expand its activities beyond, particularly in Cameroon and Niger. Boko Haram and obviously also eventually tackle Chad. This is an extremely dangerous organization that took the time to organize, recruit young people who do not have work. It also has very close ties with Daech and AQIM. Boko Haram has decided to suffocate Chad in cutting the single axis that connected us to the port of Douala, Cameroon, threatening our vital interests. This is a potential danger for the whole
subregion. None of our country can cope alone with this nebula, hence the need to pool our resources, lean course, with faith in our ability to achieve reduce nuisance.
Euronews
What are the specific objectives of the military action. Is it to destroy Boko Haram or keep away from your borders?
Idriss Déby
Is to destroy Boko Haram. By all means.
Euronews
Your country participated in 2013 in Operation Serval Mali and in 2014 in Operation barkhane the Sahel against fundamentalist groups. The France provides information on Boko Haram, like other countries too. Would wish you further involvement from Europe and the United States?
Idriss Déby
No. I think it is important to understand that this is 60 years - almost since independence African countries - that we should be able to take care of ourselves, manage our crises and cope with terrorist movements, by working together , African efforts.
Euronews
In early March, Boko Haram has vowed loyalty to the self-styled Islamic State (EI). This allegiance being done in a more dangerous terrorist group?
Idriss Déby
Our action broke the military power of Boko Haram. We have disrupted his staff. Boko Haram is not, as they say, a local organization in Africa, in Nigeria, but an organization which has links with other terrorist organizations around the world, particularly the IE . That is his real face. You have to wonder who is behind Boko Haram ...
Euronews
We do not have much information about the number of Boko Haram fighters, or its funding sources. We know that the group gets money through kidnappings and robberies. But do you think it also receives from foreign countries?
Idriss Déby
Boko Haram is supported, Boko Haram is funded, Boko Haram has received equipment, including armored vehicles on the ground. Who? I do not know.
Euronews
But you are convinced that Boko Haram receives external funding?
Idriss Déby
How can you imagine that a terrorist organization manages to win a third day of a great country like Nigeria with an organized army with armored with modes of action similar to those of a regular army ? We do not manufacture armored Nigeria, we do not manufacture weapons. So everything that does not fall from the sky.
Euronews
We have seen that relatives of Daech groups are also operating in Libya. Could this open a new front in the north, at the border?
Idriss Déby
In 2011, when the West and NATO have launched military operations in Libya, I was warned. I did not have a special love for Gaddafi, but we have not taken the precaution to manage the post-Gaddafi so that weapons do not come out of Libya. Yet this country was great with the military point of view, great armed. So since the assassination of Gaddafi, we are on a war footing, North and our other borders. Weapons circulate in Libya, Daech develops. There actually has a physical threat to African countries south of the Sahara.
Euronews
Chad is a predominantly Muslim country, yourself, you are Muslim. As a Muslim, what do you think of the fact that ownership Daech of your religion, Islam?
Idriss Déby
Daech or Boko Haram are far, far, far from Islam. This is unacceptable to me, and Muslims should not just look, observe and let. We left them a long time and it is time that Muslims are organized also to deal with the terrorist organization that has nothing, nothing, nothing Muslim. These are not Muslims and we should fight these people, Muslims must fight these people.
Euronews
Mr. Chairman, thank you.
Idriss Déby
Thank you, and thank you for your interest in my country.
Anti-Boko Haram coalition recorded real success expelling Islamist towns they occupied in northern Nigeria. But can we therefore see the end close to this organization? Or, on the contrary, Boko Haram will she recover?
Our special finishes on these questions.
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03.04.2015. On our way to the frontline in a military plane transport. Chad's Army used the plane to the bring Sami extra troops and supplies to the frontline
Posted by euronews on Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Luis Carballo tell his experience in Chad during a chat Tuesday at 15h CET. He will answer your questions in English, Spanish and French. You can send them to askluis@scribblelive.com or tweet using the hashtag #askeuronewsluis . You can also follow Luis on Twitter
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