Fierce fighting in Chad after third cease-fire fails

Press, 31 March 1980, Page 8

Fierce fighting in Chad after third cease-fire fails

NZPA-Reuter Xx

■ N’Djamena

Fierce fighting with mortars and heavy machineguns raged yesterday as rival factions continued their week-long battle for N’Djamena, the capital.of the landlocked African country of Chad.

The renewed fighting erupted at dawn, when a 48hour cease-fire was to take effect so the Red Cross could evacuate civilians and wounded. It was the third cease-fire to fail since the battle for N’Djamena erupted between forces loyal to President Goukouni Queddei and those supporting the Defence Minister (Mr Hissene Habre). Sources at the French military garrison in N’Djamena said" at least 1000 people had been killed and .more than 1500 injured since the fighting broke out last week.

“The warring sides have, enough munitions to keep I this up for at least another j week,” one French- officer, 'said. A military source said it. appeared Mr Goukouni and Mr Habre had decided to end their longstanding rivalry once and for all. , Refugees, continued to, make' their way from the, embattled city to the 1000-. strong French garrison to seek medical aid and protec-, tion. The military source said i about 4000 people a day were crossing the Chari

‘ißiver south of the city to iCameroun to escape the (daily battles. He estimated about 35,000 ’people had' fled the city in . the last: week. !. Much of the fighting is i being done by small, mobile ■ squads armed with machineiguhs, bazookas, and mortars, it The military source said :ithe city was ’about equally divided between the two factions, but that a third faction led by Vice-President jAbdelkader Wadal Ka,{mougue was starting to ini fluence the fight.