Chad troops to fight CAR rebels

19 December 2012 Last updated at 01:55 GMT Chad has sent troops to the Central African Republic (CAR) to fight rebels who have seized Brea, a key mining town in a diamond-rich region.

CAR President Francois Bozize reportedly asked the neighbouring country for help after his own army failed to repeal the attack.

The rebel coalition accuses Mr Bozize of failing to comply with the terms of a peace treaty signed in 2007.

The CAR has had a series of rebellions and coups since independence in 1960.

In the process, Chad has intervened several times on its neighbour's territory, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy reports.

The nation helped Mr Bozize when he took power nine years ago and again in 2010, when he was fighting some of the rebel groups who are now on the offensive again.

The Seleka rebel coalition - formed by breakaway factions of three former armed groups - accuses the president of not honouring a ceasefire deal pledging the release of political prisoners and payment for fighters who lay down their arms.

The alliance has threatened to overthrow the government if Mr Bozize fails to enter discussions.

'Quick end'

About 20 vehicles of heavily armed Chad soldiers crossed into CAR on Tuesday to help stop the rebel advance taking place only 300km (185 miles) from the capital, Bangui, our correspondent says.

The alliance now controls the towns of Ouadda, Sam Ouandja and Ndele, a major route linking the CAR to Sudan, Cameroon and Chad.

On Tuesday morning, it also captured the diamond mining town and military base of Bria.

Mr Bozize has been in power in the Central African Republic since leading a coup in 2003

Government troops tried to repel the attack launched at dawn, but were later forced to retreat. Around 15 soldiers are reported to have been killed during the clashes.

"We couldn't stand there doing nothing in front of this rebel advance," a senior government official told the Reuters news agency.

"The president contacted his counterpart in Chad, who immediately agreed to help us put a quick end to this adventure."

In the last two weeks, the rebels have stepped up their offensive against government military positions.

Mr Bozize has been in power since leading a coup in 2003 and winning the elections in 2005 and 2011.

The 2007 accord with his government led to rebel forces being integrated into the army.

But some of the rebels have since deserted and taken up arms again.

The CAR is rich in mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, but its population is extremely poor.

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Syria rebels 'make fresh gains'

18 December 2012 Last updated at 11:30 GMT The hostilities around Damascus have led to a new wave of displaced civilians Rebels in Syria are reported to have made fresh gains as the battle for control of the country intensifies.

The rebels said they had seized the central town of Halfaya and stormed an army base near the southern city of Deraa, capturing a number of tanks.

There has also been fighting between rebels and a pro-government Palestinian group for control of two refugee camps in the south of the capital, Damascus.

Meanwhile, the prime minister has made a rare visit to Aleppo, in the north.

Wael al-Khalqi promised extra funds to meet the needs of people in the embattled city, which is half under rebel control.

Much of the surrounding countryside is also now in rebel hands.

'Ultimatum'

Not far to the south, in Hama province, the rebels have claimed further gains, declaring the town of Halfaya a "liberated area" after taking over army positions there.

Continue reading the main story Yarmouk camp is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria, with more than 148,500 residents registered with the UNIt lies 8km (5 miles) from the centre of Damascus and resembles an urban quarter, occupying 2.1 sq km (0.8 sq miles) and containing mosques, schools and other public buildingsSince its establishment in 1957, refugees have built cement block homes and the camp is now densely populated. Conditions are better than at other Palestinian refugee camps in SyriaMany of the refugees in Yarmouk are professional, working as doctors, engineers and civil servants. Others are employed as casual labourers and street vendors

Source: UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa)

In the south, near Deraa, rebels said they stormed the base of the army's 34th Brigade, capturing a number of tanks.

And on the southern edge of Damascus, they have made significant advances in two Palestinian refugee settlements, the adjoining Yarmouk and Palestine camps, pushing out fighters from the pro-government Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) with the help of other factions.

That has exposed the areas to reprisal bombardments by government forces, leading many civilians to flee, reports the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.

One Yarmouk resident told the AFP news agency that the mosques of the camp had broadcast an army ultimatum giving the estimated 150,000 people inside until 12:00 (10:00 GMT) to leave their homes.

In the past two days, it is estimated that about 2,000 Palestinian refugees have crossed into Lebanon, further straining already stretched resources there.

The UN agency that looks after Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, which is already heavily under-funded, is appealing for extra donations to help cope with the new flow, amid fears that it is likely to increase, our correspondent adds.

Steel workers kidnapped

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation said up to 100 wounded people were being admitted each day to Damascus's main hospital.

"The most frequently observed injuries are burns, gunshots and injuries from explosions," the UN agency told reporters in Geneva. "Shortages of ointments for burns and equipment and supplies for anaesthesia and surgical interventions have been reported."

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry has said that two of its nationals have been kidnapped in Syria, along with an Italian man.

The abductors were demanding a ransom from the men's employer, a steel works in the Mediterranean port town of Tartous, it added.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was undertaking "all the necessary steps both in Syria and other countries" to free them.

Meanwhile, NBC News correspondent Richard Engel and members of his production team have been freed five days after being taken prisoner by an unknown group shortly after they crossed into north-western Syria.

NBC said their release came after a firefight at a rebel-held checkpoint on Monday, and that they were now "safely out of the country". Their captors were not believed to be loyal to the Syrian government, it added.

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