seruriermarshal
06-07-2004, 07:03 PM
Attack in central Ivory Coast wounds two French soldiers
ABIDJAN (AFP) Jun 07, 2004
Two French soldiers patrolling Ivory Coast were wounded overnight in an attack on a military post in the center of the west African country, a French military spokesman said Monday.
The attack at 0400 GMT in Gohitafla, in center-west Ivory Coast along the confidence zone dividing the rebel-held north from the government-run south, was carried out by a gang of men who said they were rebels, Lieutenant Colonel Philippe de Cussac told AFP.
"The soldiers responded firmly, taking many losses among their assailants," de Cussac said, adding that there were several arrests made. It was not immediately clear whether they belonged to the rebel movement or not.
Two French troops suffered "minor injuries" and were evacuated, as were several members of the Ivory Coast national army also wounded in the attack.
Rebel military leaders immediately and strongly denied their troops were involved in what they called an "unacceptable act of aggression," de Cussac added.
Some 4,000 French troops have been in Ivory Coast since last year helping to steer the one-time west African powerhouse back towards reconciliation after a coup bid in September 2002 to oust President Laurent Gbagbo failed, boiling over into civil war.
Tensions continue to pummel the Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, which remains divided 20 months on despite a peace pact, which now lies in tatters, and a ceasefire signed in July last year.
From (http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040607165114.7bsljsxs.html)
ABIDJAN (AFP) Jun 07, 2004
Two French soldiers patrolling Ivory Coast were wounded overnight in an attack on a military post in the center of the west African country, a French military spokesman said Monday.
The attack at 0400 GMT in Gohitafla, in center-west Ivory Coast along the confidence zone dividing the rebel-held north from the government-run south, was carried out by a gang of men who said they were rebels, Lieutenant Colonel Philippe de Cussac told AFP.
"The soldiers responded firmly, taking many losses among their assailants," de Cussac said, adding that there were several arrests made. It was not immediately clear whether they belonged to the rebel movement or not.
Two French troops suffered "minor injuries" and were evacuated, as were several members of the Ivory Coast national army also wounded in the attack.
Rebel military leaders immediately and strongly denied their troops were involved in what they called an "unacceptable act of aggression," de Cussac added.
Some 4,000 French troops have been in Ivory Coast since last year helping to steer the one-time west African powerhouse back towards reconciliation after a coup bid in September 2002 to oust President Laurent Gbagbo failed, boiling over into civil war.
Tensions continue to pummel the Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, which remains divided 20 months on despite a peace pact, which now lies in tatters, and a ceasefire signed in July last year.
From (http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040607165114.7bsljsxs.html)