Troops of a French-led emergency force killed three tribal fighters during an hour-long gunbattle in northeastern Congo. The tribal fighters were shot Friday after some 200 French, Swedish and Belgian troops — supported by helicopter gunships — came under fire when they arrived at a faction's camp, 3 miles northeast of Bunia, to confiscate heavy weapons, Col. Gerard Dubois said.
| What were the gunships for? |
The international force suffered no casualties, Dubois said by telephone from Bunia, the capital of Congo's restive Ituri province. However, Saba Rafiki, security chief for the Union of Congolese Patriots faction of the Hema tribe, said the international troops killed six civilians — including a woman and two tribal fighters.
| Thought they were civilians? Or did he mean "former civilians"? |
"French soldiers opened fire on our troops guarding the gate into the camp without provocation and we returned fire," Rafiki said. "Heavy fighting ensued and lasted for 1 1/2 hours, then we ordered our troops to withdraw."
| He forgot the part about the puppies, kittens, and baby ducks, and how they only withdrew to ensure the safety of The Children™... |
|