This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6542045.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chad admits battle inside Sudan Chad admits battle inside Sudan
(about 22 hours later)
Chad's government has admitted that its forces crossed the border with Sudan, where it clashed with the army.Chad's government has admitted that its forces crossed the border with Sudan, where it clashed with the army.
A minister said Chadian soldiers were in "hot pursuit" of rebels who crossed the border and then came into contact with Sudanese soldiers.A minister said Chadian soldiers were in "hot pursuit" of rebels who crossed the border and then came into contact with Sudanese soldiers.
Sudan has condemned the raid, saying 17 soldiers were killed and has reportedly summoned the Chad ambassador.Sudan has condemned the raid, saying 17 soldiers were killed and has reportedly summoned the Chad ambassador.
This is the first time the two armies have clashed after months of tension but Chad denies a deliberate attack.This is the first time the two armies have clashed after months of tension but Chad denies a deliberate attack.
Eastern Chad and Darfur have a similar ethnic make-up and the two governments have swapped charges of backing rebels.Eastern Chad and Darfur have a similar ethnic make-up and the two governments have swapped charges of backing rebels.
Several peace deals have failed to ease the tension.Several peace deals have failed to ease the tension.
See larger map of conflict Mbeki to increase Darfur pressure See larger map of conflict Mbeki to increase Darfur pressure
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency says up to 400 people may have died in a cross-border raid into Chad last month.Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency says up to 400 people may have died in a cross-border raid into Chad last month.
Previous estimates said 65 people had died but one UNHCR official who had visited the area said the scene was "apocalyptic".Previous estimates said 65 people had died but one UNHCR official who had visited the area said the scene was "apocalyptic".
Chad had earlier denied that its troops had crossed the border.Chad had earlier denied that its troops had crossed the border.
But now government spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor said Chad's army was "surprised" to find the Sudanese army protecting the rear bases of rebels who had launched an attack from Sudan.But now government spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor said Chad's army was "surprised" to find the Sudanese army protecting the rear bases of rebels who had launched an attack from Sudan.
"The Chadian government denies the accusation that it deliberately attacked Sudanese armed forces," he said."The Chadian government denies the accusation that it deliberately attacked Sudanese armed forces," he said.
Sudan says Chadian troops backed by eight tanks and 100 vehicles were 2km (1.2 miles) inside Sudanese territory.Sudan says Chadian troops backed by eight tanks and 100 vehicles were 2km (1.2 miles) inside Sudanese territory.
On Monday, Mr Doumgor said a convoy of 200 rebel vehicles had crossed the border. He said many rebel fighters had been killed, along with eight Chadian soldiers.On Monday, Mr Doumgor said a convoy of 200 rebel vehicles had crossed the border. He said many rebel fighters had been killed, along with eight Chadian soldiers.
The long border area between Sudan and Chad shelters a murky and dangerous mix of armed groups, the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says.The long border area between Sudan and Chad shelters a murky and dangerous mix of armed groups, the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says.
It was shocking, apocalyptic - a scene of utter desolation and destruction Matthew Conway, UNHCR 'Apocalyptic scene' after Chad raidIt was shocking, apocalyptic - a scene of utter desolation and destruction Matthew Conway, UNHCR 'Apocalyptic scene' after Chad raid
The UN investigation team in eastern Chad found decomposing bodies in the villages of Tiero and Marena, where hundreds of homes had been burned to the ground by Arab militias.The UN investigation team in eastern Chad found decomposing bodies in the villages of Tiero and Marena, where hundreds of homes had been burned to the ground by Arab militias.
UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said the true number of deaths may never be known because the victims were buried in mass graves.UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said the true number of deaths may never be known because the victims were buried in mass graves.
"Many who survived the initial attack - particularly those most vulnerable such as the elderly and young children - died in subsequent days from exhaustion and dehydration, often while fleeing," he said."Many who survived the initial attack - particularly those most vulnerable such as the elderly and young children - died in subsequent days from exhaustion and dehydration, often while fleeing," he said.
The conflict in Darfur has spilled over the border, forcing some 120,000 Chadians to join more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees in camps.The conflict in Darfur has spilled over the border, forcing some 120,000 Chadians to join more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees in camps.
Sudan accuses Chad of backing Darfur's rebel groups - Chad's President Idriss Deby is from the Zaghawa community, which is one of the groups being attacked by pro-government Arab militias in Darfur.Sudan accuses Chad of backing Darfur's rebel groups - Chad's President Idriss Deby is from the Zaghawa community, which is one of the groups being attacked by pro-government Arab militias in Darfur.
Chad denies backing the rebels and in turn accuses Sudan of causing unrest among its Arab community - charges denied by Khartoum.Chad denies backing the rebels and in turn accuses Sudan of causing unrest among its Arab community - charges denied by Khartoum.
The UN has approved funding for an 11,000-strong force to be sent to stabilise the eastern border region, although Chad says it only wants a police operation, not a military one.The UN has approved funding for an 11,000-strong force to be sent to stabilise the eastern border region, although Chad says it only wants a police operation, not a military one.
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 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
Return to top Return to top

Are you in the region? Where do you think this is heading? Is war between Chad and Sudan a real possibility? Who should be doing what to broker peace?
This topic will form part of a discussion on BBC World Service radio. If you would like to take part please leave your phone number. No comments will appear on this page.
Name