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| Rebels 'seize' two Chadian towns | Rebels 'seize' two Chadian towns |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Rebel forces in Chad say they have captured the eastern town of Biltine, hours after another group said it had taken control of nearby Abeche. | Rebel forces in Chad say they have captured the eastern town of Biltine, hours after another group said it had taken control of nearby Abeche. |
| The government has denied that either town is under rebel control, although the army said it had withdrawn troops from Abeche for tactical reasons. | The government has denied that either town is under rebel control, although the army said it had withdrawn troops from Abeche for tactical reasons. |
| Several rebel groups in eastern Chad want to depose President Idriss Deby. | Several rebel groups in eastern Chad want to depose President Idriss Deby. |
| Observers say this appears to be the first time two rebel groups have launched co-ordinated attacks. | |
| The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, says this could prove a turning point in Chad's rebellion. | The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, says this could prove a turning point in Chad's rebellion. |
| A spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was concerned by the reports of violence in Chad. | A spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was concerned by the reports of violence in Chad. |
| "The secretary general reiterates his condemnation of any attempt to seize power by force. He urges the Chadian protagonists to engage in dialogue," the spokesman said. | "The secretary general reiterates his condemnation of any attempt to seize power by force. He urges the Chadian protagonists to engage in dialogue," the spokesman said. |
| Heavy gunfire | Heavy gunfire |
| The first attack came at around dawn in Abeche, about 700km (440 miles) east of N'Djamena. | The first attack came at around dawn in Abeche, about 700km (440 miles) east of N'Djamena. |
| Eyewitness: Battle for Abeche | Eyewitness: Battle for Abeche |
| Aid workers and residents reported heavy gunfire as rebels approached the city, and small arms fire was heard in Abeche itself. | Aid workers and residents reported heavy gunfire as rebels approached the city, and small arms fire was heard in Abeche itself. |
| The rebel group involved, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), later issued a statement saying its men had taken over Abeche with little resistance from the Chadian army. | The rebel group involved, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), later issued a statement saying its men had taken over Abeche with little resistance from the Chadian army. |
| However, the government continues to claim that the rebels are not in control of what is a key town in the east. | However, the government continues to claim that the rebels are not in control of what is a key town in the east. |
| Speaking on national radio, the Chadian army's second-in-command said troops had withdrawn to the outskirts of the town for tactical reasons and to avoid civilian losses. | Speaking on national radio, the Chadian army's second-in-command said troops had withdrawn to the outskirts of 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. |
| The UFDD's leader, Mahamat Nouri, told the BBC he would continue to fight until his men had captured Chad's capital, N'Djamena. | The UFDD's leader, Mahamat Nouri, told the BBC he would continue to fight until his men had captured Chad's capital, N'Djamena. |
| Ethnic clashes | Ethnic clashes |
| Hours later, a second rebel alliance claimed that it had taken control of the town of Biltine, some 80km (50 miles) to the north of Abeche. | Hours later, a second rebel alliance claimed that it had taken control of the town of Biltine, some 80km (50 miles) to the north of Abeche. |
| Chad's defence minister told the BBC a column of rebel vehicles had been detected in the Biltine area but denied rebel claims the town had been taken. | Chad's defence minister told the BBC a column of rebel vehicles had been detected in the Biltine area but denied rebel claims the town had been taken. |
| Rebel groups want to oust President Idriss Deby's government | Rebel groups want to oust President Idriss Deby's government |
| 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. |
| The French embassy in Chad issued warnings to its citizens, following reports that rebels in the east were planning a new offensive and moving west. | The French embassy in Chad issued warnings to its citizens, following reports that rebels in the east were planning a new offensive and moving west. |
| 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. |