Army protects Chad’s farmers

IRISH troops are leading a mission in Chad to protect refugee farmers returning to their land and reassure villages of their safety under the protection of EU troops.

Flying in helicopters, more than 100 Irish troops are participating in Operation Fresh Hope, patrolling up to 80km away from the Irish base, Camp Ciara.

The operation involves the 250-strong team of EU troops in the central African country who will visit up to 30 villages over the coming days.

Other EU troops joining the protection operation across the south-east of the country include soldiers from France, Holland, Poland, Austria and the Ukraine.

Commenting on the operation, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said: “The operation in the Irish 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.”

Having visited troops in Chad recently, he added: “The Irish personnel are already making a significant difference on the ground and are enhancing Ireland’s international reputation as neutral, impartial and professional peacekeepers.”

The operation will seek to deter bandits from attacking farmers, who in recent weeks have begun returning to lands from camps to grow crops not far from the Chad/Sudan border.

“Villagers returning to plant crops could run into conflicts with nomadic cattle herders. EUFOR will be there to protect them,” said Irish Commandant Dan Harvey, EUFOR’s Paris- based spokesman.

Troops are using seven helicopters for the operation to reach inaccessible areas because of the rainy season.

The 250 troops under the Irish-led operation are expected to reach between 60,000 and 70,000 villagers, alleviating inhabitants of security concerns.

The operation on the ground in the Dar-Sila area of the country is being commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Patrick McDaniel.

To date the majority of patrolling by the 97 Infantry Battalion has been in road vehicles.

Seven Puma and MI-8 helicopters deployed troops yesterday in 32 patrols to five locations at first light.

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.

Troops will maintain a presence each night close to villages, making contact with local leaders and NGOs in the area.

Each day the patrols will be re-deployed by air to different areas in order to reach the maximum number of villagers.

In each village, troops will also distribute literature explaining the role of the EU troops.