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'Many dead' in rebel raid on Chad Chad, Sudan 'in border clashes'
(about 6 hours later)
Chad's government says it has repelled a rebel raid launched from neighbouring Sudan, leaving many fighters dead. Clashes have been reported between troops of Chad and Sudan on the countries' border after Chad's army earlier engaged with rebel forces.
Chad says eight soldiers were killed in "heavy fighting" after a convoy of 200 vehicles crossed the border. A Sudan army spokesman said they had suffered 17 casualties as Chad's army pursued rebel forces across the border.
Chad and Sudan have long swapped accusations of backing each other's rebel groups. Chad has not confirmed fighting inside Sudan but said eight of its soldiers were earlier killed as they repelled a rebel raid into its territory.
Chad and Sudan have long traded accusations of backing 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.
UN funding
A Sudanese army spokesman told Reuters news agency a convoy of Chadian troops and vehicles attacked Sudanese soldiers 2km inside Sudan's border.
He gave no details of where the incident took place and his claim could not be independently verified.
Chad has given no official response but AFP news agency quoted one Chadian source as confirming the clash, saying 30 fighters on both sides were killed.
Earlier, Chad's government said it had repelled a rebel raid that was launched from Sudan
"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.
He said 38 rebel vehicles had been destroyed.He said 38 rebel vehicles had been destroyed.
"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 The Chadian National Concord rebel groups said 10 of its fighters were killed in a six-hour battle.
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.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.