Chadian attack helicopters fired rockets at rebel positions around the capital on Thursday, and tank fire and mortar rounds echoed through the city as government troops attempted to hold off a rebel attack.
French fighter jets based in N’djamena could also be heard, but it was unclear if they were overhead or just revving their engines at the airfield, an Associated Press reporter said. The sounds of fighting could be heard coming from the north, south and south-east of the city, which has a river as its western border.
The fighting began before dawn, when residents of eastern neighbourhoods awoke to heavy gunfire, sending panic through the city a day after reports that rebels were closing in on the capital.
Government officials were not reachable and the state-run radio played music without any commentary or reports on the situation in the country. – Sapa-AP