Edouard Takadji and Krista LarsonAssociated PressN'DJAMENA, Chad — Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the central African nation for more than three decades, died Tuesday of wounds suffered on the battlefield during a fight against rebels, the military announced on national television and radio. The circumstances of Deby's death could not immediately be independently confirmed due to the remote location of the fighting. The military said Deby had taken "the heroic lead in combat operations against terrorists who had come from Libya." The Chadian military had only acknowledged five deaths in weekend fighting in which it said it had killed 300 rebels. Deby's son, Mahamat, has served as a top commander for Chadian forces taking part in that effort.

Source: Libya Today April 20, 2021 11:42 UTC