(Rapaport…December 5, 2001) Liberian troops have recaptured the town of Belleh Yalleh, about 60 miles north of the capital Monrovia, after a surprise attack briefly gave rebel forces control of it and other nearby towns. Rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) launched the attack late last month as part of an ongoing attempt to overthrow Liberian president Charles Taylor. Liberia’s defense minister, Daniel Chea, told Reuters on December 4 that Liberian troops have taken back control of the area from the rebels and that they are now chasing them back to their northern strongholds near the border with Guinea.
“We are prepared this time to take them out of the other territories they are occupying,” Chea said. “We want to destroy their war capacities so they will not make war on us.”
Chea said six rebel soldiers were killed, including a commander, and three Liberian army soldiers were injured in the battle to take back Belleh Yelleh.