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Army launches assault in Comoros Army launches assault in Comoros
(40 minutes later)
A military operation has begun in the Comoros to end a year-old rebellion on the island of Anjouan, a day after the military was ordered to retake it. A military operation has begun in the Comoros to end a year-old rebellion on the island of Anjouan, a day after the military was authorised to retake it.
Journalists in the island's main town, Mustamudu, said mortar and machine-gun fire was coming from two ships off the coast thought to be carrying troops. Defence chief of staff Mohamed Dosara said around 450 troops had already landed and had seized Anjouan's second town, Domoni, as well as the airport.
Anjouan's renegade leader, Mohamed Bacar, is believed to be holding out with several hundred armed police. The island's renegade leader, Mohamed Bacar, is believed to be holding out with several hundred armed police.
The assault force sent to Anjouan includes 1,500 African Union soldiers. The Comoran troops are being supported by a 1,500-strong African Union force.
On Monday, President Ahmed Mohamed Sambi said in a televised address that Anjouan would be "liberated" in the "coming hours or days".On Monday, President Ahmed Mohamed Sambi said in a televised address that Anjouan would be "liberated" in the "coming hours or days".
Mr Sambi said he had hoped that Mr Bacar and his supporters would "surrender themselves in order to avoid confrontation".Mr Sambi said he had hoped that Mr Bacar and his supporters would "surrender themselves in order to avoid confrontation".
'Feet on the ground''Feet on the ground'
Mortar and machine-gun fire was first heard as dawn broke on Tuesday in Anjouan as Comoran army boats and soldiers, supported by Tanzanian and Sudanese AU troops, launched a long-expected amphibious assault on the island. Mortar and machine-gun fire was first heard as dawn broke on Tuesday in Anjouan as the government force, believed to include Tanzanian and Sudanese AU troops, launched a long-expected amphibious assault on the island.
Journalists on the island said mortar fire appeared to be concentrated close to the airport and that there was no indication that the rebels were returning fire. Leaflets warned Anjouan's citizens that the assault would begin soon
Later, Mohamed Bacar Dossar, a presidential official in charge of defence, told the Reuters news agency that government troops had "their feet on the ground". Later, Mr Dosara told the BBC that around 450 troops had already landed on Anjouan and had taken the island's second town, Domoni, as well as the airport in Ouani.
Ships carrying the Comoran and AU troops had left the nearby island of Moheli early on Monday, while a helicopter dropped leaflets over Anjouan warning citizens that the assault to retake the island would begin in hours. He said they had met a small amount of resistance from supporters of Mr Bacar, but claimed that the joint Comoran-AU force was now advancing on the island's main town, Mustamudu.
There has been no independent confirmation of the success of the government operation. The authorities have said it is too early to know whether there have been any casualties.
Five boats carrying the Comoran and AU troops had left the island of Moheli early on Monday, while a helicopter dropped leaflets over Anjouan warning citizens that the assault to retake the island would begin in hours.
Mr Bacar has defied African Union and international calls to step down since proclaiming himself president in July 2007 after an election which the federal authorities declared illegal.Mr Bacar has defied African Union and international calls to step down since proclaiming himself president in July 2007 after an election which the federal authorities declared illegal.
In an interview on Thursday, Mr Bacar insisted he would not step down.
"I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese but I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan," he told the AFP news agency.
A history of political violence has left the tiny Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean desperately poor since independence from France in 1975.A history of political violence has left the tiny Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean desperately poor since independence from France in 1975.
At times, the country has teetered on the brink of disintegration amid tensions between the semi-autonomous islands and the central government.At times, the country has teetered on the brink of disintegration amid tensions between the semi-autonomous islands and the central government.
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