Six killed in failed Guinea-Bissau 'counter-coup'

2012-10-22 1,728

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Onlookers gather at the scene of a firefight, just 5 miles (7 kilometres) from the capital of Guinea-Bissau.

Early on Sunday (October 21) fighters attacked this airforce base near Bissau in an assault described a "counter-coup".

After two hours of fighting, the gunmen were driven back. Six people were killed in the battle.

Guinea-Bissau is in the middle of a messy recovery after the army derailed elections and overthrew the government in April.

Power has been handed to a transitional government, but divisions over its legitimacy have stalled progress.

Sources said Sunday's violence may have been driven by supporters of the former premier.

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