Violent incidents in Bangui. Several wounded at EUFOR RCA and Sangaris (maj3)
(BRUXELLES2 - exclusive) The violent incidents that took place all day at PK5 (kilometer point 5), in the third district of Bangui (with a Muslim majority) injured several international soldiers in charge of peacekeeping in the Central African capital.
12 soldiers injured including 3 more seriously injured (*)
According to our first information, most of the soldiers involved and affected would be Frenchmen belonging either to the European force EUFOR Rca, or to the French operation "Sangaris". Some of the soldiers affected were directly affected. Others suffer more from hearing problems, due to the blast effect. The European force EUFOR Rca has five wounded among its ranks, one of whom is seriously injured, as well as 4 other "stunned" soldiers. While the Sangaris operation counts at least one more seriously affected soldier according to the medical scale. Questioned by B2, the General Staff of the armies did not wish to immediately confirm the results. This was not confirmed until the following day, Thursday. Sangaris would have 3 injured. " was immediately taken care of by the medical services present on site ". Two of them repatriated in medical evacuation to France, where they are currently being treated, as well as one of the EUFOR soldiers. But " the life-threatening ne would be to engaged ».
Clashes in the night that lasted all day
The first clashes had started, in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, around midnight. The soldiers had been violently attacked. They resumed on Wednesday, after demonstrations of discontent, but also the presence of apparently armed men, at least more heavily than usual. The soldiers were in fact hit by both small arms fire and a grenade which exploded, seriously injuring a French soldier. " During the night Tuesday and during the day Wednesday, EUFOR was attacked by a group not identified with small arms » confirmed General Ponties in a press release published by his spokesperson, early Thursday afternoon (download here). " After the events of the night, two groups of demonstrators came into confrontation. A EUFOR police unit, supported by elements of the EUFOR multinational battalion tried to break up the crowd when they were attacked with grenades and small arms by extremists and criminals standing on the sidelines of the demonstrators ". And to add: The unknown assailants fled when peacekeepers responded in self-defense ».
Shots, grenade throws and even a rocket shot
« While patrolling the PK-5 sector as part of a routine area control mission to ensure the protection of the population, a section of the Sangaris force was attacked by elements of a armed group around 9 a.m., in particular coming under grenade throwing confirmed the General Staff of the armies on Thursday. " It then deployed and benefited around 10 a.m. from the reinforcement of helicopter resources as well as elements from the M'PoKo camp (NB: near the airport). Around 11 a.m., elements of the Sangaris force were once again violently attacked by armed individuals and had to respond to numerous infantry gunfire, as well as throwing grenades and (same) anti-tank rocket fire. These clashes lasted until 13:45 p.m. »
Stabilized situation
ThisThursday, "mDespite the tensions, the situation in the capital is now stabilized” concludes a press release from the General Staff. “The situation in Bangui is now calm, but it remains tense. Elements of the Sangaris force continue their mission in the capital in support of MISCA and in coordination with EUFOR ».
Commitment maintained
The EUFOR Commander, General Ponties, also confirmed the full commitment of EUFOR RCA. " EUFOR RCA remains fully committed to fulfilling its role with determination and impartiality, in close coordination with the African Union Mission (MISCA), the French forces and the Central African interior forces. ". The spokesperson for the High Representative of the EU (Catherine Ashton), Sebastien Brabant, wished a " speedy recovery "to the injured and remind" the EU's full commitment to stabilization and transition in the CAR ».
Not the first incident
This is not the first time that an incident has taken place for EUFOR forces. Three soldiers were thus injured, rather slightly, last July (Read: Three French soldiers from EUFOR Rca injured in Bangui). But this one seems a little more serious than the previous ones, at least for the European force. General Ponties, who commands the European operation, warned as soon as it was launched. The situation is completely unpredictable and can deteriorate very quickly” (Read : Situation in Bangui: calm but tense, volatile and unpredictable (Gen. Ponties).
2700 French and Europeans
Declared operational in June 2014, the EUFOR RCA operation has around 700 soldiers of a dozen nationalities deployed in the country, including French, Georgians, Spaniards, Estonians, Latvians, Finns, etc. Deployed since December 2013, the Sangaris force has about 2000 soldiers - according to official sources - for the entire Rep. Central African while Misca - the force of the African Union - has 6000 soldiers.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(Updates: Wed 19:50 p.m. first assessment - Thu 13 p.m. confirmation and details French General Staff + 15 p.m. confirmation, details and comments from EUFOR and the EU spokesperson)
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