Chad rebels seize town, EU troops come under fire: officials

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

NDJAMENA (AFP) — European Union peacekeepers returned fire after coming under attack in eastern Chad Saturday, a spokesman said, as rebel forces briefly seized a nearby town.

Rebel militia took the town of Goz Beida in southeast Chad, about 75 kilometres (46 miles) from the border with Sudan, on Saturday morning before withdrawing later in the day, promising a bigger confrontation on Sunday.

The firefight, in which no EUFOR troops were injured, took place shortly after noon about four kilometres north of Goz Beida, where troops were protecting the refugee camp at Djabal, Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Axelos told AFP.

"Engaged by unidentified armed elements, the soldiers fired back," Axelos said.

EUFOR spokesman Axelos said that UN agencies asked the...