- Title: LIBERIA: SOLDIERS AND MILITIAMEN MOUNT PATROLS SCOURING AREA FOR REBELS
- Date: 27th February 2002
- Summary: KATAKA, BONG MINES, LIBERIA (FEBRUARY 21, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. SLV LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS AND MILITIAMEN TRAVEL IN PICK-UP NEAR BONG MINES; SLV SOLDIERS GET DOWN FROM THEIR VEHICLES AT MINE (2 SHOTS) 0.07 2. SLV LIBERIAN SOLDIERS MARCH AS THEY BEGIN A PATROL AROUND DISUSED IRON ORE MINE; SLV SOLDIERS STAND TO ATTENTION (4 SHOTS) 0.31 3. SLV LIBERIAN SOLDIERS AND MILITIAMEN ON FOOT PATROL 0.41 4. SLV FAMILY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN SEEK SAFETY BEHIND VEHICLE ON PATROL 0.46 5. SLV CORPSE OF MAN KILLED IN FIGHTING 0.50 6. SCU LIBERIAN MILITIAMEN WIELD A HEAVY MACHINE GUN MOUNTED ON TRUCK 0.54 7. SLV CIVILIANS DISPLACED NEAR KATAKA, A TOWN NEAR BONG MINES (2 SHOTS) 1.01 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 14th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: KATAKA, BONG MINES, LIBERIA
- Country: Liberia
- Reuters ID: LVA6T13X5BFNFN7TG06JXYVBHULL
- Story Text: Liberian soldiers and militiamen mounted patrols last
week as they scoured an area outside the capital for rebels.
Liberian government forces and militiamen went on patrol at
Bong Mines last Thursday (February 21, 2002), as they tried
to secure the area from rebels.
The forces patrolled with guns at the ready and on a state
of high alert because of the rebel threat.
The disused iron ore mines, looted and abandoned during
Liberia's civil war, are around 80 kms (50 miles) northwest of
the capital. Now it is virtually devoid of civilians.
But some women and children sought shelter behind an army
truck, as it patrolled.
Liberia has been on edge since rebels came within 35 km of
the capital Monrovia on February 7, rekindling memories of a
seven-year civil war that left 200,000 people dead in the
1990s atrocities against civilians were a hallmark of that
conflict
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 refugees fled the latest
fighting, military sources and aid workers said. Some refugees
used trucks and taxis to get to Kakata. Others walked,
including women carrying babies on their back and bundles on
their heads.
United Nations humanitarian officials say some 60,000
people have been displaced by fighting in Liberia, while
military sources in Sierra Leone said some 18,000 Liberians
had crossed the border to seek shelter
Liberia's President Charles Taylor accuses Guinea of
backing the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy
rebel movement. In turn, Guinea President Lansana Conte
accuses Liberia of backing cross border raids on gun villages
in 2000-2001.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
