Arada () is a town and subprefecture in the department of
Biltine in eastern
Chad
Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of North Africa, North and Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to Chad–Libya border, the north, Sudan to Chad–Sudan border, the east, the Central Afric ...
.
History
In early January 1987 during the
Toyota War
The Toyota War (, ), also known as the Great Toyota War, which took place in 1987 in Northern Chad and on the Chad–Libya border, was the last phase of the Chadian–Libyan War. It takes its name from the Toyota pickup trucks, primarily the Toyo ...
,
Libya
Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...
n forces bombed Arada, in retaliation for the Libyan defeat in the
Battle of Fada. Because this violated the 1984
French-Libyan treaty that set zones of influence on both sides of the 16th parallel, Arada lying in the southern, French zone, France decided to intervene militarily by bombing the airbase of Ouadi Doum (similar to the
1986 air raid), destroying several Libyan aircraft and the radar station.
Economy
The town has an important
grain market
The grain trade refers to the local and international trade in cereals such as wheat, barley, maize, rice, and other food grains. Grain is an important trade item because it is easily stored and transported with limited spoilage, unlike other agri ...
. Many rural citizens earn their incomes by weaving straw fences.
References
Populated places in Chad
Wadi Fira Region
{{Chad-geo-stub