French peacekeepers killed several militiamen after they came under attack while on patrol in the Central African Republic, an officer with the African peacekeeping force said Tuesday. Backed by war planes, the French troops opened fire using heavy weapons on gunmen from the former rebel movement Seleka who attacked them when they entered the northern town of Batangafo on Monday, the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Several ex-Seleka fighters were killed, he added without saying whether there were any French casualties.
“The clash lasted for hours and loud explosions frightened many residents who fled to the bush,” the officer said.
