Battle of Adré

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Adré


caption=Map of the border area with Adre
partof=the War in Chad (2005–present)
date=December 18, 2005
place=Adré
result=Chadian government victory
combatant1=Rally for Democracy and Liberty (RDL) and Platform for Change, Unity, and Democracy (SCUD)
combatant2=Chadian army, loyalists
casualties1=100-300 KIA (Chadian claim)
9 KIA (RDL claim)
casualties2=5 KIA (Chadian claim)
70 KIA (RDL claim)The Battle of Adré took place in Adré, Chad on December 18, 2005. The battle began when the Chadian rebel groups Rally for Democracy and Liberty (RDL) and Platform for Change, Unity, and Democracy (SCUD), allegedly backed by the government of Sudan, attacked the garrison in this city. However, Chadian loyalists, who had been forewarned by military intelligence of the attack, easily repulsed the attackers. Either seventy, one hundred, or three hundred rebels were killed, depending on reports. Governmental losses are unknown, but they lost at least one Russian-made helicopter in a collision with electric wires during the fighting, while another Mi-17 helicopter was heavily damaged by rebel fire which killed at least one crew member. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/tchad/gabarit_art_afp.asp?art_cle=PAN50025lalocenneid0 La localité d'Adré bien tenue par l'armée tchadienne] , PANA Press ("Jeuneafrique.com"), December 22, 2005 fr icon.]

On December 19, SCUD leader Yaya Dillo Djérou said, "A few of our troops have participated in the action in Adré, but it is being led by RDL. Yesterday we took control of the city." [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BA1CC0CA-53B6-42B2-A73B-7146049123B2.htm Chad claims killing 300 rebels] , "Al Jazeera", December 20, 2005.]

The figure of "one hundred rebels killed" was reported by most major news sources, while Reuters [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=241515+19-Dec-2005+RTRS&srch=chad] reported 300 rebels and IRIN News reported 300 rebels, 5 soldiers, and 3 civilians. [ [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50795&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=CHAD-SUDAN Army chases rebels into neighbouring Sudan] , "IRIN", December 20, 2005.] "The [Chadian] government holds the Sudanese government wholly responsible for this morning's attack, mounted from its territory," said Chadian Communications Minister Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor. [ [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=57619 Government blames Sudan after border attack] , "IRIN", December 19, 2005.] The attack was the second in the region in three days, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4544352.stm Chad fightback 'kills 300 rebels'] , "BBC News Online", December 20, 2005.] but Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Jamal Mohammed Ibrahim denied any Sudanese involvement, saying, "We are not for any escalation with Chad. We technically deny involvement in Chadian internal affairs." This attack was the final straw that led to Chad's "state of belligerency" declaration and the alleged deployment of the Chadian airforce into Sudanese airspace, which the Chadian government denies.Fact|date=March 2007

RDL said they lost nine men and that more than 70 government troops were killed. They also say they destroyed two helicopters and several tanks and other vehicles. [http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/12/22/chad.rebels.reut/index.html]

ee also

*Chad-Sudan conflict
*Military of Chad

References