State media in Chad say an attack on the presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded.

Calm had returned to the Chadian capital N’Djamena, a spokesman for the military-ruled government said Thursday after an armed attack on the presidential palace by a 24-member commando unit the previous day was crushed.

Gunfire erupted Wednesday evening inside the presidency in Chad's capital N'Djamena, with tanks and a heavy security presence on the streets, according to AFP reporters on the scene and security