Upping its ante against besieged Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, the UN today threatened to launch air attacks on forces loyal to Gbagbo. The UN issued the warning after 11 peacekeepers were shot in the troubled West African nation in recent days. The UN chief's representative said that pro-Gbagbo forces launched "mindless" attacks on the UN base in Abidjan.
Choi Young-jin, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Ivory Coast said that though the 9,000 peacekeeper who are stationed in the country as part of the UN mission in Ivory Coast (Unoci) did not have a mandate to dislodge Gbagbo, but they have the permission to use heavy weapons to prevent attacks against the UN or civilians. Choi warned that the UN will not hesitate in using the air power against the forces loyal to Gbagbo and will soon launch action.
The UN mission in Ivory Coast has a Ukrainian aviation unit with three Mi-24 attack helicopters. It also has lightly armed Mi-8 and Mi-17 utility helicopters. Meanwhile, forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the man recognized as the new leader of the country by the UN, US and the EU captured most of the country after mounting a major offensive a week ago. But they are yet to capture the commercial capital of Abidjan, which is still under the control of Gbagbo’s supporters. It is learnt that Ouattara's camp is gearing up to launch a major offensive to capture Abidjan. French soldiers have already seized control Abidjan airport. France is country’s former colonial ruler and has about 12,000 citizens in the country.
