Chad denies aggression against Sudan’s Darfur
December 30, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Chad has denied Sudanese accusation of repeated incursions in its territory saying its operations against rebels never crossed the border.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have been touchy in recent years as both try to quell insurgencies close to their long and porous border. They accuse each other of backing rebels trying to overthrow their respective governments.
The Chadian ministry of foreign affairs said today in a press statement broadcasted N’Djamena that its ground and air forces had attacked rebel targets along the border, but had not crossed into Sudan.
“The security forces have taken every measure to cleanse the national frontiers of hostile forces.” The Official radio reported on Saturday.
“In this context the plane undertook several strictly limited operations along the border against mercenaries who were trying to cross from Sudan. Contrary to the Sudanese allegations, the Chadian army never crossed the border to carry out ground operations on Sudanese territory,” it said.
Humanitarian workers are being evacuated from towns along the Sudan-Chad border, two sources in the aid community said, following an escalation of hostilities.
Last Wednesday Chad accused Sudan of re-arming Chadian rebels after fierce battles last month in preparation for a fresh offensive, aiming to further delay deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Darfur and eastern Chad.
Sudan has rejected Chad’s accusations, and retorted by accusing Chad of supporting the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in a recent meeting on Chadian territory in the area of Bahai.
(ST)
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.