Assault on N’Djamena comes amid visit by China FM, withdrawal of French troops, and instability caused by armed groups.
![Chad's soldiers on the streets of its capital, N'Djamena, in 2021 [File: Djimet Wiche/ AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AFP__20210509__99L72J__v2__HighRes__ChadUnrestArmy-1-1736392605.jpg?resize=570%2C380&quality=80)
The Central African nation delayed elections citing financial challenges and the COVID pandemic.
Chad has been battling political upheaval since 2021 when longtime ruler Idriss Deby died and his son seized power.
Israel and Chad resumed ties in 2018 following a visit to Jerusalem by then-President Idriss Deby to PM Netanyahu.
What happened to veteran leader Idriss Deby, and what comes next for Chad after his death?
![Chad's longtime President Idriss Deby died this week [File: Ludovic Marin /Pool via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-17T203736Z_1338918742_RC2WXM97HRC9_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-ELECTION-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Chad’s neighbours and Western allies anxious about stability of nation central in fight against region’s armed groups.
![French President Emmanuel Macron (L) welcomes Chadian President Idriss Deby at the Elysee Palace in Paris on November 12, 2019 [File: Francois Mori/AP Photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AP_19316494148594.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Fighters from the Libya-based Front for Change and Concord in Chad crossed into Chad last week seeking to remove Deby.
![In 2008, rebels reached Ndjamena before being pushed back [File: Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2008-06-17T120000Z_978215612_GM1E46H1PEV01_RTRMADP_3_CHAD.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
President of more than 30 years had fought off several rebellions and was increasingly seen as silencing rivals.
![Chad's late President Idriss Deby was a former military officer who came to power after a rebellion in 1990 [File: Claire Soares/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-20T111612Z_197703841_RC2NZM9I2Z7I_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-DEBY.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
World leaders pay tribute to Idriss Deby, Chad’s president for more than 30 years, who has died at 68.
![The 68-year-old succumbed to wounds suffered during a visit to the battlefield in the country’s north where government troops are battling rebels [File: Benoit Tessier/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2018-11-10T211043Z_841040685_RC121D75B540_RTRMADP_3_WW1-CENTURY-FRANCE-ORSAY.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Stunning announcement comes a day after longtime president was declared winner of presidential election.
![A Chadian army tank seen on Monday near the presidential palace in N'Djamena [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-19T135413Z_254630260_RC21ZM9HSOHO_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-SECURITY-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Army says 18-month interim gov’t to be headed by Deby’s son as it imposes nationwide curfew and shutters borders.
![Mahamat Kaka, otherwise known as Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-20T142045Z_1033731392_RC2QZM95TRSF_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-DEBY.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Recently re-elected president dies of wounds suffered on front line as country’s soldiers battle rebels, army says.
![The 68-year-old was one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa [File: Marco Longari/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/000_98D3W8.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Longtime president looking to extend three-decade rule as several opposition leaders urged supporters to boycott poll.
![Idriss Deby is one of the longest serving leaders in Africa [File: Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-08T070026Z_10188035_RC2JRM99IBVM_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-ELECTION-AFRICA-PRESIDENTS.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Yaya Dillo tells reporters five of his family members were killed when security forces raided his home in N’Djamena.
![Dillo is a formal rebel leader who fought against Deby in 2006 before joining his government and becoming a minister [File: Thomas Coex/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/000_Par1610814.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)