Rebels Raid Kills Six Refugees; Dozens Injured

At least six Ivorian refugees have been reported dead while dozens other injured during a dawn shelling and attack on villages and towns closest to the Liberian border by rebels backing Ivory Coast 2010 declared election winner Alassane Quattara Friday.

The refugees were reportedly killed while transporting their luggage on foot across the Cavalla River into Liberia, in Grand Gedeh County.

One of the closest border towns reported raided by the Ivorian rebels is Zoquee, which is near Zleh Town in Grand Gedeh County. Zleh town is about 40 kilometer from one of the rebels’ satellite bases inside Ivory Coast, where the raids have come from. 

According to our correspondent in the region, the New Forces rebels have been shelling and attacking these towns and villages for days now. There are unconfirmed reports that some of the rebel fighters are using unofficial entry points into Liberia in pursuit of forces loyal to incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

The reports come days after New Forces leader Guillaiame Soro visited towns and villages near the Liberian border town of B’hai warning  his men about their continue human rights abuses against innocent civilians.

In a related development, Marshall Dennis, Chief of Finance of the Liberia National Police has donated 30 bags of rice to the Ivoirian refugees in 8 communities in Grand Gedeh County. Making the presentation on behalf of Dennis, Officer Larry T. Woods said the donation is to boost humanitarian relief effort of both government and NGOs.

He said Dennis was concern about the increasing humanitarian crisis in Grand Gedeh County. “Those coming from the Ivory Coast are our brothers and sisters, therefore, we need to reciprocate because they hosted us during our crisis here”.