Boko Haram launches first attack on Chadian village

MOUNDOU, Chad – Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a village on the shore of Lake Chad early Friday, marking the first such violence against the neighbor contributing the most military might to the regional fight against the Nigeria-based terror group.

The assault took place in the village of Ngouboua, according to army Col. Azem Bermandoa. It was not immediately known how many civilians were killed during the attack, he said.

"The assailants have scattered and the army is now pursuing them," Bermandoa told The Associated Press by telephone.

Boko Haram has expanded its attacks against neighboring countries over the past week following threats to punish any nations contributing to the fight against the terror group. Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin all have pledged to send military support though Chadian soldiers are already fighting Boko Haram militants inside Cameroon and Nigeria. The multinational force to fight Boko Haram is expected to be formally launched in the coming weeks.

Ngouboua is already home to nearly 3,300 refugees who had fled the Boko Haram-related violence back home in Nigeria, according to the United Nations.