Sudanese army repel Chadian troops following border attack – spokesperson

May 9, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese army on Friday said repelled an attacked by the Chadian army against a border area inside the country.

Sudan Armed Forces spokesperson Osman al-Aghbash said that Chadian troops carried out an attack against the Sudanese border area of Kashkash, claiming that assailant troops “meant to support the attempt of sabotage of the rebel Khalil Ibrahim.”

The Sudanese army Thursday said that it received information on “preparations made by rebel Khalil Ibrahim to conduct sabotage attempt and a publicity stunt through infiltrating the capital and other towns”.

Al-Aghbash further said that Sudanese army confronted the Chadian forces and forced them to pullback.

He added that the Sudanese troops are on high alert and ready to deter any attempt to attack the country.

Separately, Khartoum today said that JEM rebels had arrived to North Kordofan but stopped their advance following the announcement of the state of alertness in Khartoum.

No JEM official was immediately available for comment over the Sudanese army accusations.

(ST)