Explosions, Gunfire in Ivory Coast Capital(French Attack)

[seruriermarshal]

YAMOUSSOUKRO (*******) - Loud explosions and gunfire rocked Ivory Coast's capital Yamoussoukro on Saturday and flames could be seen rising from the presidential palace grounds where government helicopter gunships are based, witnesses said.
"We are being attacked by the French," said an Ivorian solider by phone from inside the palace grounds.

Another army source in the base said the flames were coming from Mi-24 helicopter gunships. He said three were based there but did not say how many were ablaze.

http://www.*******.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6734913&src=rss/topNews&section=news

[bison3255]

Mi-24's would be being used by the Ivorian side..

[He219]

RIP to the fallen ...



http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20041107/capt.sge.dqj70.071104015116.photo05.photo.default-285x358.jpg

Sukhoi bombers of Ivory Coast's Air Force flying on Abidjan's sky
<img src=http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/3129327.jpg?x=x&a=3129327&b=afp&t=1><img src=http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/3129323.jpg?x=x&a=3129323&b=afp&t=1>
http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7532/7532445.jpg
http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7209/7209208.jpg

A helicopter gunship patrolling over the City of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday March 25, 2004.

[Haiw]

Well I guess we won't see much of those flying-Hinds-pictures in the future... ;)

[He219]

.... or the those two Su-25 bombers either!
p-)

[Redux]

wats going on? i'm clueless with about this incident. I thought the french was on the Ivory coast government's side.

[Kekkonen]

What kind of helicopters does the French have to deal with a "search and kill"-situation
in the middle of the night, like this seems to be? Gazelle perhaps? But they surely most
have something a little more modern.

[SeanAshi]

.... or the those two Su-25 bombers either!
rofl What was used against the Sukhoi's?

[He219]

What kind of helicopters does the French have to deal with a "search and kill"-situation
in the middle of the night, like this seems to be? Gazelle perhaps? But they surely most
have somethin a little more modern.
If they caught the Mi-24's on the ground it wouldn't take much. An easy stationary target.

However, in the air - the Mi-24 is (I think) the fastest helicopter in the world. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong ...


Redux:

The Security Council authorized U.N. and French troops patrolling a zone dividing the north from the south "to prevent any hostile action" and condemned any attempt to send forces through the zone. Technically they are there as peacekeeper, but government forces have repeadetly accused the French of aiding the Rebels for over a year now ...

[Haiw]

.... or the those two Su-25 bombers either!
rofl What was used against the Sukhoi's?
A big French of whoopass. :D And they sure as hell deserve it.

[bison3255]

mi-24 is the second fastest helo after the lynx

[Redux]

so how did the UN respond to this?

[He219]

Ahh, the lynx.

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/design/helicopter/images/lynx-record.jpg

At a European air show on August 6, 1986 a slightly modified version of the ZB500 G-Lynx, manufacturered by GKN Westland Helicopters (UK), set the world speed record for a conventional helicopter at 217.5 Kts (400.80 km/h or 249.10 mph).

http://www.distant.ca/UselessFacts/fact.asp?ID=306

Then I will reiterate and say that the Mi-24 is the fastest production helicopter in the world, since that Lynx was specially modified ...
;)



http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/6607/6607586.jpg

A French helicopter hovers overhead, as smoke rises near the French embassy, bottom left, during a demonstration in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sunday Jan. 26, 2003.

[Vance]

"We are being attacked by the French," said an Ivorian solider by phone from inside the palace grounds.
Never thought I'd see the day.

[Pooga]

The UN is giving its full support to the French.

Amazing. I suppose the enemy's munitions actually have to hit and kill their target in order for the target's nation to get full UN support. In other words, in order for the US to have gotten full UN support for attacking Iraq, US and UK warplanes would have to have been shot down by Iraqi SAMs—not just shot at. Either that or we would have to be French. ;)

Whatever.

[bison3255]

I dont see the french preparing regime change here

[He219]

The UN is giving its full support to the French.

Amazing. I suppose the enemy's munitions actually have to hit and kill their target in order for the target's nation to get full UN support. In other words, in order for the US to have gotten full UN support for attacking Iraq, US and UK warplanes would have to have been shot down by Iraqi SAMs—not just shot at. Either that or we would have to be French. ;)

Whatever.
LOL

[Romulus]

"We are being attacked by the French," said an Ivorian solider by phone from inside the palace grounds.
Never thought I'd see the day.


rofl










RIP to the French troops and American (Contractor?) civilian who died in the dilema. :(

[He219]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38749000/jpg/_38749553_demousap300.jpg
'Protesters are asking the US for help against France '


A witness said a French military helicopter fired warning shots into a lagoon crossed by two bridges that lead from the city center toward the French base and the airport.

Red tracer bullets streaked across the night sky, coming from the residential district of Cocody in the commercial capital of the world's top cocoa grower.

The witness said Ivorian army soldiers appeared to be shooting at the helicopter from positions in Cocody, which is just across the lagoon from the two bridges and the city center.
http://www.*******.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6735123

[Skullknight]

Something tells me that protestor won't get what he's asking for considering 9 French soldiers have just been killed.

[bison3255]

gee good tactics, just fly helos around the capital and hope that between the AAA and SAMs none get hit

[He219]

Something tells me that protestor won't get what he's asking for considering 9 French soldiers have just been killed.
Those protestors that also torched the French School are called 'young Patriots'; supporters of the Government.


In the violence in Abidjan, loyalist mobs tried to overrun a French military base near the airport. French troops fired in the air and lobbed tear gas at the crowd.

"French go home!" loyalist mobs screamed as they marched through the city. Mobs went house to house, seeking out French civilians, French military spokesman Henry Aussavy said.

At least three French families had called French authorities to say loyalist militias had stormed their homes, a Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. There was no immediate word on any civilian casualties.

At the same time, Ivory Coast soldiers tried to destroy French aircraft at the airport itself, sparking clashes with French forces, a French spokesman, Jacques Combarieu, said. Combarieu said a French soldier was lightly injured and an airplane was lightly damaged before the fighting ended.

After nightfall, state TV ran a nonstop crawl across screens, asking for restraint: "We are asking all patriots and Ivorians to not attack, and to not attack the property, of French people or the international community."

A senior member of Ivory Coast's government Sebastien Dano Djeje, Cabinet member for National Reconciliation said the bombing of the French position in the north "was a mistake. We didn't aim to hit them."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=232325

I take it French infantry assaulted the airport, destroyed the Ivorian Air Force and are still holding it ...

[SeanAshi]

We are being attacked by the French," said an Ivorian solider by phone from inside the palace grounds. What the hell do you expect when the Ivory Coast AF bombs French peace keepers? :cantbeli:

[SeanAshi]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38749000/jpg/_38749553_demousap300.jpg
Request Denied!

[UkrainianAmerican]

Can someone provide detailed background information on the conflict?
As it stands now, Ivory Coast government is out of line, and the Frenchies should rough em up a bit.

RIP to the fallen French soldiers and American civilian.

[bison3255]

wait, the french havent surrended by now?

[Gatling]

Can someone provide detailed background information on the conflict?
Here's a good summaryhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ivorycoast/history.html
and here a detailed onehttp://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ivorycoast/archive.html

[Rannyoby]

wait, the french havent surrended by now?
Drop that, it's getting old now and just shut up if you have nothing else than those "witty" one-liners to contribute.

[Pille1234]

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,405727,00.jpg

Those Hinds are not going to hurt anyone anymore. :lol:

[Phil642]

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,405727,00.jpg

Those Hinds are not going to hurt anyone anymore. :lol:

Booom!

[Rantanplan]

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,405727,00.jpg

Those Hinds are not going to hurt anyone anymore. :lol:

Booom!

Hahahahaha

Vive la France! woot

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/Rantanplan/France.jpg

Go Team Eurowussie! woot

[BlackRain]

I dont see the french preparing regime change here

Think again.

Who do you think was the Ivory Coast's prior colonial ruler?


Supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo say he is under attack by France to resign, but they will defend him. Protests against French interests continue one day after French troops neutralized much of Ivory Coast's military, in response to an attack on French troops.

Thousands of Ivorians took to the streets to protest against what they say is French interference in their country. A philosophy teacher, Stanislas Anoh, says he will support President Gbagbo against the former colonial power.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-11-07-voa20.cfm





The former Ivorian prime minister, Pascal Affi N'Guessan, issued a statement on national television Sunday, ordering French forces to leave Ivory Coast. He also called on the pro-government militias to prevent foreign troops from circulating.


Photos ----




http://wwwi.*******.com/images/mdf750356.jpg


Ivory Coast military troops are seen on their way back from the front line in Yamoussoukro, November 7, 2004. Ivory Coast ordered a pullback from an offensive on the rebel-held north after France destroyed its airpower in a retaliatory strike which sparked mob attacks on French citizens and property. Photo by Luc Gnago/*******

[Rantanplan]

This damn Asians should stop to sell their crapy cars to africa.

[Knutsen]

BlackRain , comparing Iraq to Ivory coast is pure simplistic biased propaganda.
Simplifying things we can compare French mission in I.C to US mission in Liberia. Ever wondered why the majority of the world didn't condemn US actions in Liberia whereas we all condemned its actions in Iraq?

[Midav]

BlackRain , comparing Iraq to Ivory coast is pure simplistic biased propaganda.
Simplifying things we can compare French mission in I.C to US mission in Liberia. Ever wondered why the majority of the world didn't condemn US actions in Liberia whereas we all condemned its actions in Iraq?

The whole world didn't condemn the attacks on Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein.

Some did, yes, but not all. You speak as much for the world as I do...

[BlackRain]

BlackRain , comparing Iraq to Ivory coast is pure simplistic biased propaganda.
Simplifying things we can compare French mission in I.C to US mission in Liberia. Ever wondered why the majority of the world didn't condemn US actions in Liberia whereas we all condemned its actions in Iraq?

It is called hypocrisy.

I find it amusing the pickle the "peacekeepers" have got themselves into in Ivory Coast. These governments should heed their own 'advice' and not mettle in the internal politics of foreign countries.

Or does that standard just apply to the USA? It seems it does not apply in this case where the peacekeeping country has a strong financial interest in the direction of Ivory Coast.

It is interesting note that the rebels, the Ivory Coast government, and the citizens have all called for the "peacekeepers" to leave.

[Knutsen]

There's a huge difference man. I.C welcomed any foreign help in the shape of military intervention and as you can see many french soldiers are dedicated to the task of escorting and evacuating foreign citizens , including around 15000 french nationals. That is the freaking difference.

[Knutsen]

The whole world didn't condemn the attacks on Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein.

Some did, yes, but not all. You speak as much for the world as I do...


Sorry for the mistake midacv i meant the ones who condemned iraq didn't condemn IC, not the whole world.

[BlackRain]

There's a huge difference man. I.C welcomed any foreign help in the shape of military intervention and as you can see many french soldiers are dedicated to the task of escorting and evacuating foreign citizens , including around 15000 french nationals. That is the freaking difference.


And now the people are asking you to leave!

Will France 'occupy' the Ivory Coast?



Ivory Coast ruling party demands French leave, urges people to take to streets
ABIDJAN, Nov 7 (AFP) - The leader of President Laurent Gbagbo's party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), demanded Sunday that France withdraw its troops immediately from the west African country.

The FPI "demands the immediate departure of all French troops from the Ivory Coast," Pascal Affi N'Guessan said in a message aired repeatedly over national television.

The party also called on "patriots" -- as Gbagbo's supporters are known -- to "descend massively into the streets of Abidjan and all the cities of the country this minute and prevent by any means the free movement of any foreign force ... until final victory, which is the liberation and reunification of our country."


11/07/2004 14:18 GMT - AFP


French troops began deploying in Abidjan "for the benefit of French and foreign residents as well as the Ivorian population," the defense ministry said, prompting an angry response from the government of President Laurent Gbagbo which demanded an immediate withdrawal.

The intervention provoked a stark warning from the speaker of the Ivorian parliament Mamadou Coulibaly, a Gbagbo loyalist, who said France faced a "long, hard war" and that French nationals risked death at the hands of the "patriot" mob.

"Vietnam will be nothing compared with what we are going to do here," he said. "The Ivorian authorities consider themselves now to be rebels against the French power which Jacques Chirac is trying to install. There will be fierce resistance."

Overnight thousands of protesters loyal to Gbagbo marched on the airport in Abidjan, which is under the control of French forces, and were turned back by rocket fire from French helicopters.


http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=33094

[Pandy]

I think the French should just bomb that son of a bitch to hell, turth to be told.

[Avary]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38749000/jpg/_38749553_demousap300.jpg
These people should stop sniffing Super Timor fumes.