Armed Forces of the North

The Armed Forces of the North (FAN) were a Chadian political faction that played a significant role in the country's civil war. Emerging in the mid-1960s, guerrilla movements like Frolinat and the FNT aimed to overthrow the government, reduce French influence, and foster ties with North African Arab states. By the late 1970s, the conflict evolved into a struggle between northern political factions. The FAN, led by Hissène Habré, retreated to Sudan in December 1980 but reoccupied key towns in eastern Chad by November 1981. After the withdrawal of Organization of African Unity peacekeeping forces, Habré formed a new government in October 1982. The FAN, with French military aid, ultimately prevailed over opposition forces by 1983–84.123