Journalists Killed in Sierra Leone Ambush

At least five people were killed and several others were wounded in an ambush by rebels from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone. Two Western journalists, an American and a Spaniard, were among those killed in the attack, alongside three Sierra Leone government troops. Two other foreign journalists, a South African and a Greek, were wounded and taken to hospital in Freetown. The incident highlights the growing threat posed by RUF rebels, who have been fighting against the Sierra Leone government and the United Nations peacekeeping force.

Key Takeaways:

• The ambush occurred at Rogberi junction, approximately 45 miles east of Freetown, near where RUF rebels have been fighting forces loyal to the Sierra Leone government.
• Kurt Schork, a 53-year-old American journalist and Rhodes scholar, was killed in the attack, along with a Spanish journalist whose name was being withheld until relatives were informed.
• Two other Reuters journalists, Mark Chisholm and Yannis Behrakis, were wounded in the attack, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
• The attack has drawn criticism that weapons could fall into RUF hands, despite the government's decision to arm and train the Sierra Leone army.
• Four Reuters journalists were working in the area at the time of the attack, all of whom were reporting on the conflict between the RUF and the government.
• British forces have been providing logistical support to the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone.
• Over 250 UN peacekeepers are still being held hostage by RUF rebels, despite the capture of notorious leader Foday Sankoh last week.

Statistics:

• 5 people were killed in the ambush, including 2 Western journalists and 3 Sierra Leone government troops.
• 2 other foreign journalists, a South African and a Greek, were wounded in the attack.
• 2 Reuters journalists (Mark Chisholm and Yannis Behrakis) were also wounded in the attack, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
• The RUF rebels have been holding over 250 UN peacekeepers hostage since early May.
• The capture of Foday Sankoh, the RUF's notorious leader, is believed to have led to a decline in rebel activity near Freetown.
• British forces have been providing logistical support to the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone since the conflict began.

Sources:

• Reuters news agency
• Associated Press (AP) news agency
• British Government
• United Nations Peacekeeping Force
• Reuters' editor-in-chief, Geert Linnebank