Chadian military says advancing rebel column 'decimated'
N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — The Chadian military said it had halted an advance by rebels coming from neighboring Libya, but the rebel group said Sunday that it was pressing ahead after the American and British embassies warned of a possible assault on the capital in the coming days.
Army spokesman Azim Bermandoa Agouna said that clashes had taken place late Saturday in the northern province of Kanem and that the rebel column from Libya was “totally decimated.”
“Congratulations to our valiant defense and security forces,” government spokesman Cherif Mahamat Zene tweeted, describing the rebel forces as “mercenaries coming from Libya.”
It was not immediately possible to independently corroborate the claims given the remote location where the fighting took place. A warning issued to British citizens, though, said there were believed to be two rebel convoys — one moving from the town of Faya toward the capital, N'Djamena, and another seen headed toward the town of Mao.
The rebel group known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, issued a statement Sunday on its Facebook page stating that its forces had begun “the liberation of Kanem region."
“We assure all residents of the city of N'Djamena, including diplomatic staff, United Nations agents, organizations, partners and expats working in Chad to stay calm and avoid unnecessary travel outside the city of N'Djamena,” said the statement issued by spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tabul.
The FACT rebels are believed to have crossed over into Chad a week ago on election day as President Idriss Deby sought to extend his three-decade-long grip on power. While the incumbent was all but certain to win another term, official results have not yet been released.
The U.S. State Department on Saturday ordered...