Rebels infiltrate Freetown’s west

Artillery and mortar fire was heard in the south and southwestern parts of Freetown today, almost two weeks after rebels stormed the eastern side of the city, AFP reported. It quoted “reliable sources” as saying that RUF rebels were heading north along Lumley Road, an area running along the beach on the western side of the Freetown peninsula. AFP, also quoting a Nigerian officer with ECOMOG, said the rebels had infiltrated the western part of the city at the weekend. The rebels have reportedly regrouped in hills in the south and southeast of the city after being largely pushed out of the city’s east end. News reports said that ECOMOG Force Commander General Timothy Shelpidi said on Sunday that he needed helicopters, light arms and more communications equipment to deal with snipers in the city.