Thousands flee Chad's capital during lull in fighting
Panicked residents jam the streets after rebels leave to regroup. Aid groups say at least 500 civilians were wounded in two days; the death toll is unknown.
NAIROBI, KENYA — Thousands of frightened Chadians took advantage of a lull in fighting Monday to flee N'Djamena when rebels withdrew from the capital after two days of heavy clashes with government troops.
Officials, however, warned that battles were probably not over; rebel leaders vowed to attack again.
"Rebels still have a capability of fighting," said Capt. Christophe Prazuck, spokesman for the French Ministry of Defense, which has 1,900 troops deployed in the Central African country and has evacuated nearly 1,000 foreigners. "They announced they were leaving to reorganize their forces. They're not far from town, so things may change rapidly."
At the United Nations on Monday, the Security Council tacitly opened the door to military intervention by France and other countries, with a unanimous condemnation of the rebels' coup attempt and a call for nations to help Chad's government end the violence
The nonbinding statement also backed efforts by leaders from Libya and the Republic of Congo to try to broker a peace deal. The U.S. State Department and African Union have also condemned the coup attempt. France's U.N. ambassador, Jean-Maurice Ripert, said his country was providing only humanitarian assistance to Chad, but hinted that it was ready if Chad were to ask for military support. Prazuck said French troops have an agreement with the Chadian military to share intelligence and provide medical support.
Rebels were believed to be regrouping to the north; some were hiding in eastern N'Djamena, Prazuck said.
Rebels said they were pulling back to allow civilians time to evacuate. "We certainly will go back on the offensive," rebel spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah told the French news agency Agence France-Presse.
Chadian government officials claimed victory. "The savage mercenaries are routed," Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said on Radio France Internationale.
Humanitarian officials estimated that at least 500 civilians had been wounded in the preceding two days, most of them caught in crossfire.
More than 1,000 rebels penetrated the capital Saturday, facing off against government troops. It was the third coup attempt in Chad in three years.
The death toll remained unclear, but officials were bracing for high numbers because of the heavy weaponry used. Bodies were lying in the streets.
- Government Agrees on Cease-Fire With Rebels Jan 08, 2002
- Rebel-Led Strike Halts Business in Cities Feb 13, 2004
- Troops Seize Control of Town From Gangs Feb 24, 1998
