Chadian army claims 'decisive' win over advancing rebels

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

AM ZOER, Chad (AFP) — Chadian troops have routed rebel forces advancing from the country's east to the capital, the army chief said Wednesday as Ndjamena again accused neighbouring Sudan of backing the insurgents.

Chief of army staff, General Touka Ramadan Kore, told reporters his men had won a "decisive victory" in Am Zoer, north-east of the eastern provincial capital of Abeche, killing more than 160 rebels and halting a week-long insurgent offensive.

"The Sudanese mercenaries have either fled or are dead," he said, adding that "scores have been taken prisoner."

He said three soldiers had died in the counter-attack and added that the government forces had managed to recover some 40 military vehicles seized by the rebels in an earlier raid.

Kore...