Dozens were wounded in overnight clashes on Sunday, April 8, between the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central Africa Republic and self-defense forces who control a Muslim district of the capital Bangui known as the PK5.

A UN spokesman said 11 soldiers from MINUSCA – United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic – were wounded, and around 20 more civilians and fighters were wounded during an operation in which the UN tried to dismantle road blocks set up by the forces who control the PK5.

MINUSCA had to drive out of the area amid gunfire. Eight people were arrested and weapons were recovered by the MINUSCA during the operation.

Peacekeepers were also fired on in the PK5 last Sunday, April 1, the first direct attack on U.N. forces in the PK5 since violence resumed in 2017.

MINUSCA spokesman Herve Verhoosel said earlier this week the UN has called on the fighters in the PK5 to lay down their weapons warning that action would be taken if they did not.

(Source: Reuters)