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Chad clashes 'killed 100' people | Chad clashes 'killed 100' people |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 100 civilians were killed in last weekend's fighting between rebels and government forces in Chad, according to aid agencies. | At least 100 civilians were killed in last weekend's fighting between rebels and government forces in Chad, according to aid agencies. |
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said up to 700 were wounded in the capital N'Djamena during the attempted coup. | Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said up to 700 were wounded in the capital N'Djamena during the attempted coup. |
The Red Cross estimate was higher and the death toll was expected to rise as aid workers continued to collect dead bodies left on the streets. | The Red Cross estimate was higher and the death toll was expected to rise as aid workers continued to collect dead bodies left on the streets. |
Chad's president earlier declared a "stunning victory" over rebel forces. | Chad's president earlier declared a "stunning victory" over rebel forces. |
Guilhem Molinie, head of the MSF mission in Chad, said: "In the three main hospitals of the town we have counted 100 civilians dead... We are arriving at something like 700 wounded." | |
Meanwhile, the Red Cross says at least 160 people were killed and 1,000 injured as rebels fought troops for control of the Chadian capital. | |
Thomas Merkelbach, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in N'Djamena, said: "The Chadian Red Cross collected 80 bodies and there remain at least as many again, probably more." | |
'Mercenaries' | |
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in N'Djamena says the army and French soldiers have been patrolling the streets. | The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in N'Djamena says the army and French soldiers have been patrolling the streets. |
Our reporter says attack helicopters were taking off to bomb rebel positions outside the city. | Our reporter says attack helicopters were taking off to bomb rebel positions outside the city. |
He says that, thanks to intelligence and logistics provided by the French military, they will be hunting for the rebels' 200 pick-up trucks which withdrew after the heavy battles over the weekend. | He says that, thanks to intelligence and logistics provided by the French military, they will be hunting for the rebels' 200 pick-up trucks which withdrew after the heavy battles over the weekend. |
Although the former French colony has a history of coups, last week's fighting was the most violent in decades. | Although the former French colony has a history of coups, last week's fighting was the most violent in decades. |
class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7225023.stm">Q&A: Rebellion in Chad class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7224008.stm">Profile: Idriss Deby class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7228376.stm">Refugee's gruelling escape | |
French Defence Minister Herve Morin visited on Wednesday to show his support for the legitimate Chadian government. | French Defence Minister Herve Morin visited on Wednesday to show his support for the legitimate Chadian government. |
President Deby appeared in public on Wednesday for the first time since the clashes, which left the streets littered with corpses and caused thousands to flee. | President Deby appeared in public on Wednesday for the first time since the clashes, which left the streets littered with corpses and caused thousands to flee. |
Dressed in full military uniform, he called the attackers "mercenaries" and accused Sudan of behind the coup bid. | Dressed in full military uniform, he called the attackers "mercenaries" and accused Sudan of behind the coup bid. |
Khartoum has previously denied accusations that it backs Chadian rebels by allowing them bases in its border region of Darfur. | Khartoum has previously denied accusations that it backs Chadian rebels by allowing them bases in its border region of Darfur. |
Mr Deby said he believed most of the attackers had fled the capital. | Mr Deby said he believed most of the attackers had fled the capital. |
"We're at their heels and we shall catch them before they get back to Sudan," he said. | "We're at their heels and we shall catch them before they get back to Sudan," he said. |
He thanked France, which has a military agreement with Chad to provide logistical, medical and training aid, for its support during the crisis. | He thanked France, which has a military agreement with Chad to provide logistical, medical and training aid, for its support during the crisis. |