June 12 (Reuters) - Chadian rebels opposed to President Idriss Deby said on Thursday they had launched a fresh offensive in eastern Chad and were engaged in clashes with government forces. Chad and Sudan accuse each other of backing rebels in their countries. Here is a chronology of recent Chad-Sudan tensions: Jan/Feb 2004 - Thousands of refugees from Sudan's Darfur region arrive in Chad fleeing government bombings and raids by Arab Janjaweed militias. April 9 - Chad brokers a ceasefire between the Sudanese government and two Darfur rebel groups. April 11, 2005 - Chad suspends mediation, accusing Sudan of supporting Chadian rebels. It returns to mediation after promises from Khartoum that it would act against the rebels. Dec. 18 - Chad says its forces killed about 300 rebels after they launched a failed offensive on the border town of Adre. Sudan denies involvement. Feb 8, 2006 - Chad and Sudan agree to put an end to their dispute at a meeting in Libya. April 13 - Chad government forces fight off attack by rebels on the capital N'Djamena. Several hundred people killed. Deby breaks diplomatic relations with Sudan the next day. Aug 8 - Chadian President Idriss Deby and Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir agree to restore ties. Feb 1, 2007 - Rebels fighting to overthrow Deby launch an attack on Adre, before being beaten back. Feb 22 - At a conference in Libya, leaders of Sudan and Chad pledge to redouble efforts to end border violence. May 3 - Sudan and Chad sign a Saudi-brokered reconciliation deal in Riyadh. Oct 25 - Chad and four Sudan-based Chadian rebel groups sign a "definitive peace accord" in Libya. At least two groups later abandoned the accord. Feb 3, 2008 - Deby beats back rebels who got as far as the presidential palace. Former colonial power France rallies behind Deby. Over 700 people were killed in the attack. March 13 - Sudanese and Chadian leaders sign non-aggression deal in Senegal however Chadian rebels dismiss the peace pact the next day. May 10 - Rebels make a lightning advance from the western Darfur region to attack Khartoum. Around 200 people were killed in the attack. May 11 - Sudan accuses Chad of backing the rebels and cuts diplomatic relations. Chad denies involvement. The next day Chad shuts the border with Sudan. June 12 - Chadian rebels say they have launched a new offensive in eastern Chad. For main story please see [nL12162020] (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/) (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit;)
Refugees who fled the conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region wait outside an aid distribution building at Djabal camp near Gos Beida in eastern Chad June 12, 2008. Reflecting the violence ...
