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| Rebels 'seize' key Chadian city | Rebels 'seize' key Chadian city |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rebel forces in Chad say they have captured the eastern town of Abeche. | Rebel forces in Chad say they have captured the eastern town of Abeche. |
| The army said it had withdrawn from the town - about 700km (440 miles) east of the capital - to spare civilian lives, but had the rebels surrounded. | The army said it had withdrawn from the town - about 700km (440 miles) east of the capital - to spare civilian lives, but had the rebels surrounded. |
| 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. |
| The rebels have sworn to depose the President Idriss Deby, and attacked the capital, N'Djamena, in April. | The rebels have sworn to depose the President Idriss Deby, and attacked the capital, N'Djamena, in April. |
| The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says fighting appears to have subsided for the moment, but the picture on the ground remains unclear. | The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says fighting appears to have subsided for the moment, but the picture on the ground remains unclear. |
| The rebel group involved, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), has issued a statement saying its men took over Abeche with little resistance from the Chadian army. | The rebel group involved, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), has issued a statement saying its men took over Abeche with little resistance from the Chadian army. |
| Eyewitness: Battle for Abeche | |
| The UFDD also thanked France, which has a military base in the town, for remaining neutral. | The UFDD also thanked France, which has a military base in the town, for remaining neutral. |
| However, the Chadian government continues to claim that the rebels are not in control of what is a key town in the east and that the situation is in hand. | However, the Chadian government continues to claim that the rebels are not in control of what is a key town in the east and that the situation is in hand. |
| Speaking on national radio, the Chadian army's second-in-command, General Adoum Gabgalia, said troops had withdrawn from the town for tactical reasons and to avoid civilian losses. | Speaking on national radio, the Chadian army's second-in-command, General Adoum Gabgalia, said troops had withdrawn from the town for tactical reasons and to avoid civilian losses. |
| He urged people to stay calm and accused neighbouring Sudan of backing rebel forces in Chad. | He urged people to stay calm and accused neighbouring Sudan of backing rebel forces in Chad. |
| Appeal for calm | Appeal for calm |
| The UFDD is one of several rebel groups trying to overthrow Mr Deby. | The UFDD is one of several rebel groups trying to overthrow Mr Deby. |
| Its leader, Mahamat Nouri, told the BBC he would continue to fight until his men advanced upon, and captured N'Djamena. | Its leader, Mahamat Nouri, told the BBC he would continue to fight until his men advanced upon, and captured N'Djamena. |
| 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 the capital, N'Djamena, before being overpowered. | The last major rebel attack was in April, when rebels drove from eastern Chad to the capital, 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. | 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. | The embassy said a significant number of rebels planning to overthrow President Deby were moving west - deeper into the country. |
| 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. |