While initially fought between Chadian proxies, it eventually resulted in Libya's direct intervention, and was Gaddafi's first military victory in the conflict.

The First Battle of N'Djamena was fought from February to March in 1979, resulting in the Kano Accord being brokered by the OAU, primarily Nigeria, and France.

[7] Habré however was anti-Libyan and ruthless in his ambition, causing him to position himself against Oueddei's pro-Libyan government On March 22, 1980, clashes broke out between Habré's FAN and Oueddei's FAP in N'Djamena,[8] which quickly escalated to a full-scale battle with thousands wounded and hundreds dead within 10 days, and half the city's population fleeing to neighboring Cameroon.

[11] The city was bombarded for a week and nearly destroyed, with Habré forced to retreat into Cameroon, while the rest of the FAN fought rear guard actions until December 15, when they escaped into Sudan.

Gaddafi had managed to move some 5,000 troops, 500 vehicles, numerous artillery pieces, Air Force contingents, along with all their necessary supplies 1,300 km in under 1 month and accomplish his goal.