The 14th Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT) serving with the United Nations Missions in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) on Monday, 28th March 2011 repelled an overnight attack at its Headquarters/Logistics Base in Bondoukou, in the Zanzan Region of Cote d’Ivoire.

GHANBATT repelled an attempt by some elements of both thePro-Ouattara forces and forces loyal to Gbagbo in an attempt to infiltrate GHANBATT’s position in Bondoukou, Northeast of Cote d’Ivoire. The overnight battle for the control of Bondoukou saw GHANBATT fiercely defending its position and UN property, protecting UN Military/Civilian Staff, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), caught up in the overnight crossfire.

There is uneasy calm in GHANBATT’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), however, GHANBATT continues to dominate its AOR with aggressive day and night mobile and foot patrols, long and short range patrols as well as air reconnaissance patrols. Meanwhile scores of people are seen fleeing their homes in anticipation of further reprisal attacks on Bondoukou.

Earlier in the day, at a briefing of troops, the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lt Col William Dagbe informed troops of the possible attack on Bondoukou from intelligence gathered over the period. Troops were given detailed briefing on what to do during a possible attack. It was therefore not much of a surprise to GHANBATT troops when their position was attacked. Hence the immediate fierce response by GHANBATT to repel the attack.

Meanwhile, there have been commendations from the UNOCI fraternity for GHANBATT’s resoluteness and resilience. The Battalion remains vigilant and alert while conducting its normal Peace Support Operations (PSO) in order to bring lasting peace and security to the people of Cote d’Ivoire.

The pro-Ouattara forces,Forces Republicaines de Cote d’Ivoire (FRCI), formerly known as Forces Armées Nationales de Cote d’Ivoire (FAFN), who controlled the Northern part of Cote d’Ivoire, at the beginning of the week launched an assault against the Forces de Defense et Sécurité de Cote d’Ivoire (FDSCI), forces loyal to Gbagbo. FRCI forces’ assault was on a broad front covering three frontages; East through Bondoukou, Centre through Daloa and West through Duekoue.