Rebel fighters are reported to have entered the key eastern Chadian city of Abeche, following clashes with government troops.
Rebel fighters are reported to have entered the key eastern Chadian city of Abeche, following clashes with government troops.
Aid workers and residents reported hearing heavy gunfire as rebels approached the city, and small arms fire has been heard in Abeche itself.
Aid workers and residents reported hearing heavy gunfire as rebels approached the city, and small arms fire has been heard in Abeche itself.
Correspondents say it is unclear who controls the city, about 700km (440 miles) east of the capital, N'Djamena.
Correspondents say it is unclear who controls the city, about 700km (440 miles) east of the capital, N'Djamena.
The rebels have sworn to depose the ruling president, Idriss Deby Itno.
The rebels have sworn to depose the ruling president, Idriss Deby Itno.
Phones down
Phones down
French news agency AFP quoted a rebel general, Mahamat Nouri, of the Forces for Development and Democracy (UFDD) as saying rebels have captured part of the city.
French news agency AFP quoted a rebel general, Mahamat Nouri, of the Forces for Development and Democracy (UFDD) as saying rebels have captured part of the city, but this has been denied by the government.
1. Chad says Sudan government-backed militias are attacking villagers in Chad. Some 200,000 Darfur refugees are also in Chad2. Sudan accuses Chad of backing the Darfur rebels3. Chad says it will send troops to help CAR fight the rebels4. CAR says Sudan backs rebels who have seized towns in CAR The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says mobile telephone networks in Abeche are down, always a sign that something is wrong.
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says latest reports say the town is now unusually calm, with the streets completely deserted and fighting appears to have subsided.
Chad's defence minister however told the BBC fighting is continuing.
Our correspondent says mobile telephone networks in Abeche are down, always a sign that something is wrong.
On Friday there were reports of as many as 200 rebel vehicles circulating in eastern Chad and the Chadian army was on full alert.
On Friday there were reports of as many as 200 rebel vehicles circulating in eastern Chad and the Chadian army was on full alert.
The last major rebel attack was in April, when rebels drove from eastern Chad to N'Djamena, before being overpowered.
The last major rebel attack was in April, when rebels drove from eastern Chad to N'Djamena, before being overpowered.
Much of Chad is under a state of emergency, after ethnic clashes which are reported to have killed hundreds of people in recent weeks.
Much of Chad is under a state of emergency, after ethnic clashes which are reported to have killed hundreds of people in recent weeks.
Earlier the French embassy in Chad issued warnings to its citizens, following reports that rebels in the east were planning a new offensive.
Attack 'planned'
Attack 'planned'
The French embassy said a significant number of rebels planning to overthrow President Deby were moving west - deeper into the country.
Earlier the French embassy in Chad issued warnings to its citizens, following reports that rebels in the east were planning a new offensive.
The embassy said a significant number of rebels planning to overthrow President Deby were moving west - deeper into the country.
Officials said a "large column of rebels" had entered the province of Ouaddai.
Officials said a "large column of rebels" had entered the province of Ouaddai.
Rebel leaders confirmed that they were advancing in that region.
Rebel leaders confirmed that they were advancing in that region.
Conflict in Sudan's Darfur region has spilled across the border into Chad, which accuses the country of exporting its violence. Khartoum denies this.
Conflict in Sudan's Darfur region has spilled across the border into Chad, which accuses the country of exporting its violence. Khartoum denies this.
The UN estimates that more than 200,000 refugees from Sudan are in Chad and that more than 50,000 Chadians have been displaced by fighting between Arab and non-Arab groups.
The UN estimates that more than 200,000 refugees from Sudan are in Chad and that more than 50,000 Chadians have been displaced by fighting between Arab and non-Arab groups.
Sudan denies claims that it backs Chad's rebels, while Chad denies supporting the black African rebels in Darfur.
Sudan denies claims that it backs Chad's rebels, while Chad denies supporting the black African rebels in Darfur.
Are you in Abeche? Have you been affected by the clashes between rebels and government troops? Send us your comments and experiences.
Are you in Abeche? Have you been affected by the clashes between rebels and government troops? Send us your comments and experiences.
