Article

2017-05-16 Africa Subsaharan

About 1,000 hostages freed from mosque in Central African Republic

[AlAhram] About 1,000 people held hostage since the weekend by armed militias in a mosque amid violent festivities in southeastern Central African Republic have been freed, U.N. officials said on Monday.

"I can confirm that the mosque is now empty. The last 250 men inside until this afternoon have been transferred out," said Herve Verhoosel, front man for the U.N. peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA), by telephone from Bangui.

Women, children and the injured had been set free earlier on Monday before the remaining men were evacuated from the building.

He added that MINUSCA forces had since opened fire on the militias who had been guarding the mosque and had mobilised a helicopter to the town on the Congolese border.

The Bangassou festivities entered their third day on Monday and have involved hundreds of fighters with heavy weaponry in the latest sign that a multi-year conflict spurred by ethnic and religious tensions is worsening.

Posted by trailing wife 2017-05-16 00:53|| || Front Page|| [11138 views ] Top

#1 I thought it was about un-brainwashing

Posted by Frank G 2017-05-16 07:00|| 2017-05-16 07:00|| Front Page Top

#2 Did they burn down the mosque?

Posted by AlanC 2017-05-16 07:27|| 2017-05-16 07:27|| Front Page Top

#3 just a little OT...

The bunker. A meeting, adjourning.
But wait, it's a furor! Concern.
English subtitles translate:
"Muh popular mandate!
You traitors! Is Washington burning?"

Posted by Zenobia Floger6220 2017-05-16 13:48|| 2017-05-16 13:48|| Front Page Top

#4 I think that should be concerning, Zenobia F. ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2017-05-16 14:38|| 2017-05-16 14:38|| Front Page Top

#5 Slack amphibrachs, fractured but scanning,
Like Carol with lipstick en-Channing.
I'll try on occasion
To use less liaison,
(but dammit, I'm crappy at planning).

Posted by Zenobia Floger6220 2017-05-16 15:46|| 2017-05-16 15:46|| Front Page Top

#6 Eeeugh. Now, all the typos, extra commas, and vagueness of voice... they worry me. Ouch.

Slack amphibrachs, fractured, but scanning
Like Carol and lipstick en-Channing...
"Essay on occasion,
To use less liason."
"But dammit, I'm crappy at planning."

Bleh.

Posted by Zenobia Floger6220 2017-05-16 15:54|| 2017-05-16 15:54|| Front Page Top

#7 Good planning. Raided the mosque during Bingo night, and just about every Moslem soul in county was there.

Posted by ed in texas 2017-05-16 20:16|| 2017-05-16 20:16|| Front Page Top

17:02 Melancholic
16:27 Gravilet Snanter4154
16:20 Chaise Speaking for Boskone7897
16:02 Skidmark
16:01 Skidmark
15:46 Skidmark
15:41 Skidmark
15:37 swksvolFF
15:36 Skidmark
15:34 Skidmark
15:27 Skidmark
14:48 NoMoreBS
14:31 NoMoreBS
14:16 NoMoreBS
14:15 NoMoreBS
14:04 swksvolFF
13:47 Regular joe
13:43 swksvolFF
13:38 swksvolFF
13:34 swksvolFF
13:31 Abu Uluque
13:25 Heribertus Vedente
13:24 mossomo
13:20 Abu Uluque