JEM rebels say clashed with Chadian army in Darfur

January 31, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) clashed with the Chadian army in the remote area of Um Dukhun in South Darfur, said a statement posted on the website of the rebel group.

An unidentified rebel commander stated that Chadian troops on Wednesday attacked a camp of JEM fighters in the area of Um Dukhun which is at 70 kilometers from the common border.

The rebel military official added that they repelled the attack, killing dozen of the Chadian soldiers and destroyed many of its vehicles.

Sudan and Chad deployed a joint force monitoring the border between the countries.

JEM accused the Chadian president Idris Deby of instigating a dissidence in September 2012 of an important group of rebel commanders who are now holding peace talks with the Sudanese government in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Chad in the past was seen as the main supporter of the rebel group but relations between the two sides deteriorated since the reconciliation between Khartoum and Ndjamena in 2010.

In May of the same year Chad banned Khalil Ibrahim, JEM founder and its late leader, from returning to Darfur through its territory after facilitating the resumption of talks between the rebel movement and Sudanese government.

(ST)