YOAUNDE
Chadian troops began arriving in Cameroon on Friday to support the country in its fight against the Boko Haram militant group, which has recently stepped up attacks in Cameroon's Far North Region, according to a security source.
On Thursday, the Cameroonian government announced that Chadian troops would be deployed "soon," without specifying a date.
But a Cameroonian security source confirmed to Anadolu Agency that Cameroonian troops had begun arriving in Chad on Friday "in waves."
"Senior officers arrived in the northern city of Maroua on Thursday, where they held meetings with administrative and military authorities in the region," the source said.
Maroua is the regional capital of Cameroon's Far North Region, which shares a border with Nigeria.
Several senior Cameroonian military officials, however, have reportedly expressed skepticism over the decision to deploy Chadian troops in Cameroon outside the framework of a joint multinational force.
Last March, the countries around Lake Chad in central Africa formed a joint force to combat terrorism, cross-border attacks and arms trafficking.
"Coordination problems could arise among troops as soldiers only take orders from their superiors," a senior Cameroonian army official, who requested anonymity, told The Anadolu Agency.
"A Chadian colonel, for example, is not allowed to carry out land operations in Cameroon – so who will coordinate between the two forces?" he wondered.
Another security source told AA: "There is talk of establishing a sub-regional multinational force, but Cameroon is seeking an alliance with Chad to protect its territory due to Nigeria's reluctance to join the force."
Information regarding the total number of troops, where they will be stationed, and the operation's sources of funding has yet to be revealed.
The military support from Chad comes after Boko Haram recently stepped up its attacks in Cameroon.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau recently threatened Cameroon and its long-serving president, Paul Biya.
In a video recently posted on YouTube, Shekau warned Biya that Cameroon would suffer the same fate as Nigeria.
