• Chad has closed its border with Sudan indefinitely after clashes killed five soldiers.
• The closure is aimed at preventing the spillover of Sudan's ongoing conflict.
• Nearly a million Sudanese refugees have crossed into Chad since the civil war began.
• The clashes in Tine involved the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces, leading to civilian casualties.
• Chad's government emphasizes protecting citizens and maintains readiness to respond to further threats.

Chad has officially closed its eastern border with Sudan "until further notice" following violent clashes that resulted in the deaths of five Chadian soldiers. This heightened security response comes after fighting erupted in the border town of Tine between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reflecting concerns over repeated cross-border incursions and violations linked to Sudan's civil war, which began in April 2023. This situation has escalated as hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees have sought safety in Chad, further straining resources, according to Reuters and BBC.

The Chadian government has highlighted that the closure is a necessary step to protect citizens and refugee communities from the conflict spilling over into its territory. Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif noted that while the border would remain closed, there may be "exceptional exemptions" allowed for humanitarian reasons with proper authorizations. The unrest in the border region has raised alarms, with officials confirming the fatalities and injuries among soldiers and civilians during the clashes, according to Reuters, BBC, and Africanews.

Moreover, the closure comes amid accusations from Sudan’s army alleging that Chad has been aiding the RSF and allowing military supplies to cross its borders. These claims have been firmly denied by the Chadian government. This tense dynamic is compounded by concerns over the humanitarian crisis emerging from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which the United Nations warns has created one of the world's largest hunger crises, displacing millions, as reported by BBC and Africanews.