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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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Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
