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13/08/2008
Irish Troops Chopper Into Chad
Irish troops presently undertaking operations in Chad have been sent three helicopters to help cope with monsoon conditions in the African state.
The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
According to a report in an Irish newspaper, the Government hired two of the three helicopters.
More than 100 Irish troops have been involved in the latest operation, towards the Sudan border, which is due to last several days.
The Irish troops involved were airlifted from their camp at Goz Beida in eastern Chad at first light Tuesday morning and deployed by helicopter to five locations.
The troops were due to be collected by helicopter again later today and deployed to other locations along the Chad-Sudan border.
Commenting on the operation, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said: "The operation in the Irish(controlled) area, involving more than 100 of our troops, is vital to reassure the local population and to demonstrate to them that the presence of EUFOR in the region is essential to ensure their ongoing safety and security."
In the coming days, separate foot patrols will visit villages, a refugee camp and a number of sites for displaced people close to the Chad/Sudan border.
The deployment is taking place in the midst of a group of up to 5,000 heavily armed rebels who are gathering just over the Sudanese border.
The reason they are gathering is as yet unclear.
(DW)
The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
According to a report in an Irish newspaper, the Government hired two of the three helicopters.
More than 100 Irish troops have been involved in the latest operation, towards the Sudan border, which is due to last several days.
The Irish troops involved were airlifted from their camp at Goz Beida in eastern Chad at first light Tuesday morning and deployed by helicopter to five locations.
The troops were due to be collected by helicopter again later today and deployed to other locations along the Chad-Sudan border.
Commenting on the operation, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said: "The operation in the Irish(controlled) area, involving more than 100 of our troops, is vital to reassure the local population and to demonstrate to them that the presence of EUFOR in the region is essential to ensure their ongoing safety and security."
In the coming days, separate foot patrols will visit villages, a refugee camp and a number of sites for displaced people close to the Chad/Sudan border.
The deployment is taking place in the midst of a group of up to 5,000 heavily armed rebels who are gathering just over the Sudanese border.
The reason they are gathering is as yet unclear.
(DW)
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28 May 2008
Chad Mission Most Expensive In History
Each Irish serviceman in Chad is costing the Irish taxpayer €200,000 according to figures released on Wednesday. The total price tag of €77 million is the most expensive military operation in the nation's history, €20 million of which was spent entirely on transport and supplies.
Chad Mission Most Expensive In History
Each Irish serviceman in Chad is costing the Irish taxpayer €200,000 according to figures released on Wednesday. The total price tag of €77 million is the most expensive military operation in the nation's history, €20 million of which was spent entirely on transport and supplies.
27 August 2008
Chad Violence Set To Grow On End Of Rains
The imminent end of Chad's annual rainy season is expected to mark an elevation in the intensity of fighting involving Ireland's troops in the troubled African state.
Chad Violence Set To Grow On End Of Rains
The imminent end of Chad's annual rainy season is expected to mark an elevation in the intensity of fighting involving Ireland's troops in the troubled African state.
19 June 2008
UN Criticises Irish Troops In Chad
The office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) has criticised Irish troops in Chad after a raid on their offices by rebels. A spokeswoman for the UNCHR said the she accepted Irish forces where serving in Chad on a basis of neutrality, but is reported to have argued they should have stepped in.
UN Criticises Irish Troops In Chad
The office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) has criticised Irish troops in Chad after a raid on their offices by rebels. A spokeswoman for the UNCHR said the she accepted Irish forces where serving in Chad on a basis of neutrality, but is reported to have argued they should have stepped in.
17 June 2008
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
16 June 2008
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
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Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
