afrol News, 16 December - Chadian government forces were forced to launch both air and ground assaults in defense to the appalling offense by the Rebels from the Union of Resistance Forces (URF). This is the major confrontation between the rebels and government forces since May.

According to the statement issued by the government late Tuesday, the rebels destroyed a Chadian army tank, an oil-tanker and a vehicle belonging to the Chadian government forces.

The statement confirmed the clashes, further indicating that the Chadian army was trying to redeploy its forces when it was attacked by rebels.

The rebels have claimed that four civilians had been killed and more wounded in the fighting. However, the government in Chad denied that its troops had caused any civilian casualties.

Chad has suffered from rebellions by several armed groups for more than a decade.

The government claims Sudan backs and arms the militants, an allegations denied by Khartoum. Sudan in turn accuses Chad of backing rebels in its troubled Darfur region.

In May, this year, the Chadian troops announced they have defeated a rebel attack in the volatile east but added that some areas are still not under control.

Local reports said aid workers were evacuated from several displaced people's sites in areas bordering the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur this week.

The interior minister said all major towns were under control and the rebels had failed to gain any territory. However, the rebels denied being beaten and said they were still advancing.

The rebels in Chad have been trying to topple President Idriss Deby for more than three years.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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