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Article: South African troops meet unexpected resistance in Lesotho rebellion
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- September 22, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Associated Press. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Associated Press. (Hide copyright information)
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ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press Writer
AP Online
09-22-1998
MASERU, Lesotho (AP) _ Invited in by the beleaguered government of this nation, South African forces encountered unexpected resistance Tuesday from rebellious Lesotho troops in their first military incursion since apartheid.
At least 10 soldiers and five civilians died in heavy fighting.
Furious gunfire and artillery rounds forced 20 armored South African vehicles equipped with cannons to retreat and scuttle an attempt to reinforce troops at a barracks near the capital's airport, where a day-long firefight raged.
The anti-government forces also used antiaircraft and small-arms fire against South African helicopters ...