BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The government of Chad said Thursday it is withdrawing more than 800 peacekeepers from a mission to stabilize neighboring Central African Republic after the Chadian troops came under scrutiny for firing into a crowd of civilians last week, killing at least 32 people.

Chad has been a key player in the Central African Republic crisis that deepened in December when the country exploded into sectarian bloodshed. Chad’s forces have been instrumental in the effort to evacuate Muslims across the northern border into Chad, a predominantly Muslim nation, with the help of its peacekeepers.