User:De Administrando Imperio/Battle of N'Djamena (June 2008)



The Battle of N'Djamena of June 2008....

Background
Before this attack, groups of armed fighters reportedly based in the Darfur region of Sudan have crossed the border twice to attack the Chadian capital N’Djamena, first in 2006 and again in February 2008. Both times they were repelled after days of bloody street fighting with the Chadian army. There have also been frequent skirmishes in the eastern provinces of Chad and near the border with Sudan.

Rebel advance toward N'Djamena
Rebels began their push through Chad on June 11. According to the Chadian government, “Mercenaries in the pay of Sudan entered Chadian territory on 11 June between Ade and Amdjereme” in eastern Chad. On June 13, Two columns of armed fighters were seen moving close to areas where aid operations were ongoing in eastern Chad, aid workers in the area said. The rebel sightings came following several news reports of clashes between rebels and the Chadian army close to Abeche, and reports that a Chadian army helicopter was shot down on June 12.

On June 14, fighting was reported in the town of Goz-Beida. Irish EU peacekeepers stationed there returned fire after coming under attack in the town, which rebels captured briefly. Rebel columns of between 80 and 100 trucks were seen racing towards Goz Beida, according to news agency Reuters. Medical workers reported that at least 24 people were injured in the attack.

On June 15, Chadian rebels reportedly captured the town of Am Dam, about 600km east of Ndjamena, the capital, a rebel spokesman said. "We took the town in the middle of the day," Ali Gueddei, a rebel spokesman, said. "The government troops did not offer much resistance." "Our objective is not to take towns but to clear obstacles on the road to Ndjamena," Gueddei said. On June 16, the rebels said that they have taken also the eastern town of Biltine. After they also took Am Zoer, government forces caught up with them and defeated them in the Battle of Am Zoer.