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'Many dead' in rebel raid on Chad 'Many dead' in rebel raid on Chad
(about 1 hour later)
Chad's government says it has repelled a rebel raid launched from neighbouring Sudan, leaving many fighters dead.Chad's government says it has repelled a rebel raid launched from neighbouring Sudan, leaving many fighters dead.
Chad says eight soldiers were killed in "heavy fighting" after a convoy of 200 vehicles crossed the border.Chad says eight soldiers were killed in "heavy fighting" after a convoy of 200 vehicles crossed the border.
Chad and Sudan have long swapped accusations of backing each other's rebel groups.Chad and Sudan have long swapped accusations of backing each other's rebel groups.
Chad shares a long border with Sudan's lawless Darfur region, where some 200,000 people have died during a four-year conflict.Chad shares a long border with Sudan's lawless Darfur region, where some 200,000 people have died during a four-year conflict.
"A column of more than 200 vehicles with armed elements attacked a defence and security forces position this [Monday] morning at Amdjerima," said government spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor in a statement."A column of more than 200 vehicles with armed elements attacked a defence and security forces position this [Monday] morning at Amdjerima," said government spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor in a statement.
"The defence and security forces fought back with determination to rout the attackers, who as usual had come from Sudan. The search goes on," he said. He said 38 rebel vehicles had been destroyed.
There is no independent confirmation of the claims. "The defence and security forces fought back with determination to rout the attackers, who as usual had come from Sudan. The search goes on," he said
A rebel spokesman confirmed that there had been fighting but denied that his forces had been routed, reports the AFP news agency.
Last week, Chadian officials said at least 65 people had been killed in a cross-border raid by Sudanese militia.
A BBC correspondent in Chad says relations between the neighbours have been strained for months despite a series of peace deals.A BBC correspondent in Chad says relations between the neighbours have been strained for months despite a series of peace deals.
The UN has approved funding for an 11,000-strong force to be sent to stabilise the eastern border region, although Chad says it only wants a police operation, not a military one.The UN has approved funding for an 11,000-strong force to be sent to stabilise the eastern border region, although Chad says it only wants a police operation, not a military one.
The conflict in Darfur has spilled over the border, forcing some 120,000 Chadians to join more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees in camps along the border.The conflict in Darfur has spilled over the border, forcing some 120,000 Chadians to join more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees in camps along the border.