Ivorian fighters ‘take capital’

Pro-Ouattara forces are advancing on several fronts from their northern bases

Forces loyal to UN-backed President-elect Alassane Ouattara are advancing towards Ivory Coast’s capital, Yamoussoukro, on two fronts.

His forces have recently taken several towns and incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo has appealed for a ceasefire.

Mr Gbagbo refuses to stand down despite the UN saying he lost November’s poll.

A BBC reporter says Yamoussoukro is only the capital in name, but its capture would be a major symbolic victory for the pro-Ouattara forces.

Some one million people have fled the violence – mostly in the main city of Abidjan – and at least 462 people have been killed since December, according to the UN.

In the western town of Duekoue, thousands of people have taken refuge in a church compound to escape the fighting this week.

In Abidjan, the UN says attacks on civilians by pro-Gbagbo youths have continued.

The BBC’s John James in the northern city of Bouake, in territory held by the pro-Ouattara forces, says the enrolment of these youths into the army is due to start on Wednesday to replace soldiers who are not turning up for work or who have changed sides.

This week, fighters loyal to Mr Ouattara have been gaining ground in two offensives from their northern bases.

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In the west, pro-Ouattara forces are reported to have taken the major town of Daloa and the town of Duekoue, while in the east, the forces say they have captured the town of Bondoukou.

A spokesman for Mr Gbagbo said the army had adopted a strategy of tactical withdrawal but warned it could use its “legitimate right of defence”.

Our reporter says Yamoussoukro voted overwhelmingly for Mr Ouattara in the elections.

Residents in the city say it is quiet as pro-Ouattara forces advance from several sides.

“Fighting with heavy weapons started at 2am, we are hiding in our houses,” a resident in Tiebissou, 40km (25 miles) north of the city, told the AFP news agency.

Clashes have also been reported in the town of Bouafle, about 50km to the west of the capital.

“Since about 6 o’clock this morning, we are hearing gunfire in Bouafle, machine-gun fire and often heavy detonations,” Alain Zagole, a resident of the town, told Reuters news agency.

Our reporter says the other main target under immediate threat is the port of San Pedro in the south-west.

Its capture would open up a vital supply route for the pro-Ouattara forces and eventually allow them to start shipping the country’s main export, cocoa, he says.

The pro-Ouattara forces have controlled the north of the country since a 2002 civil war.

Pro-Gbagbo troops have lost every battle against them since last November’s election, our reporter says.

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