The Comoros government yesterday claimed its forces recaptured all strategic points on the secessionist island of Anjouan including its main town Mutsamudu. "The Comoran forces have captured the strategic points of Anjouan and the regional capital Mutsamudu as well as the symbols of the state including the presidential residence," a statement issued by President Mohamed Taki's office said.
Government forces met fierce resistance when fighting started early yesterday morning at Mirontsy, 3 km east of Mutsamudu, and spread into the town itself, said witnesses contacted by radio.
The Island Frigate, one of two commercial ships requisitioned for the invasion, was hit in the assault, eyewitnesses said. They gave no details.
Mr Taki's government launched the assault on Anjouan on Wednesday to crush a secessionist revolt. The troops attacked Domoni town and the airport at Ouani 7 km east of Mutsamudu before moving towards the capital, witnesses said.
In a separate statement the Comoros foreign ministry said the operation had been carried out "without bloodshed", But two wounded government soldiers were brought back by air to the main Grande Comore island yesterday morning, eyewitnesses at the airport said. A senior aid official in contact with Anjouan earlier reported many were wounded and some killed in the fighting.
Anjouan, the second-largest of a three-island archipelago, seceded on August 3rd after months of protest, civil unrest and clashes with security forces that led to several deaths. Moheli, the smallest island, followed suit.
Meanwhile, a senior French military officer in Paris yesterday described the fighting in the islands as "low-key".
A French Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr Jacques Rummelhardt, said Paris had noted the Comoran government's assurances that it had restored its authority on Anjouan "without any bloodshed".