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Insurgents loyal to a former army chief captured the Central African Republic’s airport, large parts of its capital and several presidential residences Saturday while the president was out of the country.
Intense artillery and smaller arms fire began around 3:15 p.m. as the rebels entered the capital, Bangui, from the north. The fighters identified themselves to residents as loyalists of former army Chief Francois Bozize, whose forces narrowly failed to capture the capital during fighting in October.
Shooting also started at the nation’s main airport. The fighters claimed they captured it — a development confirmed by an official in a 300-member African security force policing the city.
