13 soldiers killed in Sierra Leone Sunday clash – Military

The Sierra Leonean military says Sunday clashes in the capital, Freetown, resulted in the deaths of 13 soldiers.

Unknown gunmen had raided a barracks in the capital city and unsuccessfully attempted to snatch firearms from the armoury, the government said.

According to the military, the dead soldiers were in the ranks of the army loyal to the government and were orchestrated by active and retired soldiers.

“We have launched a manhunt for all those who were involved in the violent attack, among them current and retired serving soldiers,” military spokesperson Colonel Issa Bangura maintained.

In yet another security breach in Freetown, armed men broke into several prisons, released dozens of inmates, and “abducted” others, Sierra Leone’s Information Minister, Chernor Bah, said in a statement.

It remains unclear whether the attacks were linked to only one assailant group or multiple groups.

President Julius Maada Bio said late on Sunday that the leaders of the groups have since been arrested.

On Monday afternoon, the government lifted a nationwide curfew that was imposed on Sunday.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, had condemned the security breach in Sierra Leone

SOURCE: FRCN