Goz Beïda Explained

Official Name:Goz Beïda
Native Name:قوز بيدا
Pushpin Map:Chad
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Chad (Sila region highlighted)
Pushpin Image:Chad 19 region locator map 2008-02.svg
Coordinates:12.2236°N 21.4144°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Chad
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Sila (Dar Sila)
Subdivision Type2:Department
Subdivision Type3:Sub-Prefecture
Subdivision Name3:Goz Beïda
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2008
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Timezone:+1

Goz Beïda (Arabic: قوز بيدا) is the capital of the Sila (or Dar Sila) region of Chad, as well as the main town (chef-lieu) of the Kimiti department. Prior to 2008, Goz Beïda was part of the Ouaddaï Region's former Sila Department.[1]

Goz Beïda is 70km (40miles) from Chad's border with Sudan's western Darfur Region.[2] The town has been seriously affected by the conflict in Darfur, which has spilled over into the surrounding area and resulted in large numbers of refugees living in the town.[3]

The town is served by Goz Beïda Airport.

Attack

October 2006

On 22 October 2006, the main unified Chadian rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy attacked the town. Conflicting reports initially surfaced as to whether the town was taken by the Union repulsed by the government troops.[4] However, it was later confirmed that the town was taken by the Union, as were several other Chadian cities.[5]

June 2008

On 14 June 2008 Chadian rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked Goz Beïda, injuring at least 25 people.[2] The rebels and the Chadian army were involved in a firefight; Irish Army troops, part of the European Union Force, were fired at, but none were injured.[3] A rebel group, the National Alliance, claim to control the town.[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ordonnance n° 002/PR/08 portant restructuration de certaines collectivités territoriales décentralisées . Ordinance No. 002/PR/08 on restructuring of certain decentralized local authorities . Government of Chad . 19 February 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113631/http://legitchad.cefod-tchad.org/texte/549 . March 4, 2016 .
  2. Web site: Chad rebels attack town, EU troops come under fire . . O'Reilly . Finbarr . Fletcher, Pascal . Lovell, Jeremy . 2008-06-14 . 2008-06-15.
  3. Web site: Rebels attack eastern Chadian town, aid worker says . . Pogatchnik . Shawn . Roux, Cecile . 2008-06-14 . 2008-06-15.
  4. Web site: Rebels attack eastern Chad town . . 2006-10-22 . 2008-06-15.
  5. Web site: Army alert to counter Chad rebels . . 2006-10-24 . 2008-06-15.