Rebels and bandits invade Chad from Darfur

An estimated 340 fighters were killed last week in clashes between the Chadian army and anti-government rebel groupings. The worst of the fighting took place in Am Dam, just west of the Irish troops’ base in Goz Beida.

The Irish troops’ need for a full supply of fuel to perform the crucial patrols is particularly pressing when considered against the background of other problems the UN is facing with the operational capability of its force.

The Chad MINURCAT mission had 2,425 troops when it should have 5,200 and was short 18 helicopters. The helicopter shortage and lack of “critical communications” units had weakened the mission’s ability to display its strength during long-range patrols, he said. The 15 daily security patrols currently being conducted around Chad by the multinational force are limited in reach because of the poor capabilities of civilian helicopters, particularly in relation to medical evacuations.

The Irish troops depend on civilian helicopters, A contract for the supply of the two Mi-8T (Russian Ми-8, NATO reporting name "Hip") helicopters was placed with an UK-based company, Air Partner Commercial Jets

The helicopters come to the aid of troops who get into difficulties when conducting patrols – which should be long-range and last several days – into remote regions along the border with Sudan’s Darfur region. Russian helicopters ferry military personnel, with Ukrainian crew.

The mobile rebel columns of armed pickups have raced through towns and struck at army posts in the eastern borderlands. But they have not attempted to repeat the headlong charge westwards to the capital N'Djamena that they made in February.
Former colonial ruler France, which in February clearly threw its political and military weight behind Deby when he resisted the rebel assault on N'Djamena, has taken a more ambiguous position towards the latest rebel moves. here

Ft. Lamy, now N'Djamena
The first 71 Chadian police and gendarmerie commanders- who will form part of a new unit known as the Détachement Integré de Sécurité (DIS) - took part in a graduation ceremony today. The group received training from staff with the nascent UN mission in Chad and Central African Republic (MINURCAT) in law and order, respect for human rights, humanitarian law and other policing techniques. here

‘Epervier’ French Army in Chad

For three decades now, the French army has maintained a permanent military presence in its former colony with approximately one thousand troops. Chad became independent from France in 1960. France’s long-term mission is called ‘Epervier’, French for ‘Sparrowhawk’. It’s an operation that provides logistics, intelligence and medical support to Chad. It includes camps in N’Djamena and Abéché. Epervier started in 1986, helping contain a Libyan plan to invade the country.

“If we pull out, Chad will be cut up into pieces from all sides, even now,” said a senior French military official. here