Thousands flee gunbattles in Congo

BRAZZAVILLE: Thousands fled fighting in Congo’s capital Brazzaville on Monday as the government blamed hours of heavy clashes in opposition bastions on a rebel group known as “The Ninjas”.

There was no official toll from what the government called “a terrorist action”, as it said it was investigating whether the assailants were linked to opposition leaders contesting President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s re-election last month.