[10] The Independent National Election Commission (CENI) had indicated that Déby had taken a large lead with 30% of the votes cast still to be counted.

[10] In not recognizing the results, the opposition had called to boycott the 11 April election with Yacine Abderaman Sakine of the Reform Party refusing to concede the victory to Déby.

[11][12] Déby was seen in Europe, the United States and China as an ally in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and other terrorism in West and Central Africa.

[14][15] After the 11 April border attack, the FACT forces entered the country on convoys and clashed with the army in several cities and towns as they headed toward N'Djamena, the capital of Chad.

Although stores and other facilities remained open, many civilians reportedly chose to stay home amidst rising fears of conflict.

[23] Another rebel group, the Military Command Council for the Salvation of the Republic (CCMSR), also declared that it would support FACT in its offensive against the TMC.

Rebels claimed that airstrikes were used to try and target their leader, Mahamat Mahadi Ali, and accused France of supporting the raid.

On 28 April clashes resumed in the Kanem region with land and air forces attacking rebel positions.

[29] A military spokesman stated that the helicopter claimed to have been shot down by rebels crashed due to "technical failures" far from the battlefield.

[30] On 9 May 2021, the TMC claimed victory over the rebels in the northern offensive, however, clashes continued and a FACT spokesman said it was not aware of an end to the fighting.

[32][33][34][35] On 22 April 2021, France publicly defended the military takeover of the government by Déby's son, despite it being unconstitutional, saying that it was necessary under "exceptional circumstances.