Comoros military moves to take rebel island

Explosions and gunfire have resounded in the Indian Ocean nation of Comoros as the government announced it was invading the island of Anjouan to oust a renegade colonel who seized the key island last May.

Blasts were heard in 10-minute intervals beginning around dawn today and appeared to grow louder as the morning wore on, while machine gun fire was sporadic.

The source of the fire wasn’t immediately apparent.

Defence Chief of Staff Mohamed Dosara said on the main island of Moroni that 400 to 450 troops have landed in Anjouan.

He said “they have taken the airport” with a small amount of resistance. He said there was no word yet on casualties.

The Comoros, an archipelago of three main islands about 250 miles off Africa’s southeast coast, has been caught up in a series of coups and political upheavals since gaining independence from France in 1975.

The latest came in May when Colonel Mohamed Bacar and armed supporters took over Anjouan island, drawing increasingly strident warnings from the central government.

The explosions and gunfire drew hundreds of people into the streets of Anjouan, some of them chanting “Bacar is a dog”.

Yesterday, the country’s president said the army would invade Anjouan and helicopters dropped leaflets over the island urging residents to avoid the pending fighting.

“The National Army of Development (AND) informs all the residents that it will be in Anjouan in the days, or rather the hours coming,” the leaflets read. “It is therefore advised that residents do not stray too far from their residences.”

Later the Comoros government said it had captured the capital of the rebel-held island of Anjouan.

The announcement came just hours after an African Union-backed military operation got under way to oust the renegade colonel who took power in Anjouan last May.

Defence Chief of Staff Mohamed Dosara said the troops met a small amount of resistance. He said the troops are searching for Col. Mohamed Bacar, who took over Anjouan island last May.