Gambia president accuses 'terrorist groups' of coup attempt
Source: AP-Excite
By ABDOULIE JOHN
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Soldiers loyal to Gambian President Yahya Jammeh went house-to-house in search of opponents Thursday after the longtime leader blamed "terrorist groups" for staging a coup attempt earlier this week.
Jammeh, who was out of the country at the time of Tuesday's attack but has since returned to Banjul, the capital, alleged that the coup plotters had received backing from some foreign countries.
"I live for the Gambia and I will die fighting for the truth. No human being can do anything to me, my government or the Gambia," Jammeh said. "It was not a coup. It was an attack by dissidents based in the US, Germany and United Kingdom."
After hours of fighting, forces loyal to Jammeh's regime succeeded in getting the upper hand, killing five insurgents. It was not immediately known how many casualties were suffered by the national military.
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FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, file photo, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, center, leaves a central Banjul polling station after casting his vote for president in Banjul, Gambia. Heavy gunfire is reported Tuesday Dec. 30, 2014, near the presidential palace in Gambia, according to local residents, raising the specter of a coup attempt while the longtime ruler is currently visiting France, state media reported. On Tuesday, soldiers linked to his presidential guard were believed to be involved in the fighting, according to witnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, FILE)
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