Sudan soldiers, Darfur rebels Clash Inside Chad

Oct 8, 2006 (N’DJAMENA) — Sudanese soldiers crossed the border into eastern Chad to fight a group of Darfur rebels, and in the battle 317 combatants were injured, an aid worker said Sunday.

The battle, between Sudanese soldiers and rebels of Darfur’s rebel Justice and Equality Movement, took place late Saturday. The injured combatants were taken to the hospital in the town of Bahai, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of the capital, N’djamena, the aid worker told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the aid worker was not allowed to speak to the media.

Government spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor said that he had no information about the fighting.

Speaking to Radio France Internationale, the leader of JEM Khalil Ibrahim accused Sudanese government of mobilizing Chadian rebel FUC led by Mahamat Nour to attack their positions In Darfur near common border with Chad.

In August, Chad and Sudan reopened their borders and resumed diplomatic relations that they severed in April.

Chad has accused Sudan of involvement in a rebellion in eastern Chad. Sudan has in turn accused Chad of harboring Sudanese rebels fighting in its Darfur region, which borders Chad. Observers have long feared the war in Darfur could destabilize the entire region.

The Justice and Equality Movement and a breakaway faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement rejected a May peace deal with the government, arguing it didn’t meet their demands.

Another faction of the Sudanese Liberation Movement, led by Minni Minnawi, signed the deal and Minnawi has been sworn in as an assistant to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Inter-rebel fighting has since escalated.

(ST/AP)