Ivory Coast army to retaliate attacks

Ivory Coast's army units loyal to incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo have said they will retaliate against attacks by opposition supporters.

Attacks by opposition supporters on Ivory Coast army forces amounted to "acts of war," Army Chief Philippe Mangou read in a declaration on state television on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. 

The head of the army further warned that any act of war would give the Ivory Coast forces the right to retaliate. 

Security forces have descended on two capital districts of Abobo and Anyama that are loyal to Ivory Coast's presidential contender Alassane Ouattara. 

Abobo has been the scene of two days of fighting between army forces loyal to Gbagbo and the supporters of his rival Ouattara. 

At least five civilians were killed in clashes and six policemen lost their lives in the Abidjan suburb of Abobo on Wednesday on the second day of fighting. 

Mangou also said that on Tuesday two policemen were also killed by "armed elements." 

Forces loyal to Gbagbo encircled the scene of clashes and blocked entry to the UN peacekeepers. 

Ouattara's parallel government operates out of a hotel under UN peacekeepers' guard. 

Three UN peacekeepers were injured in an attack carried out by security forces in the capital city of Abidjan as the country's deadlock deteriorates. 

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said Wednesday that the assault took place in Abidjan's Abobo neighborhood on Tuesday night as peacekeepers belonging to UN mission in the Ivory Coast were patrolling the area. 

Gbagbo declared a nighttime curfew in the two districts in the capital city of Abidjan late on Wednesday.

Violence has been escalating in the Ivory Coast since the November 28 presidential election after which Gbagbo has refused to heed international calls and step down from his post. The United Nations recognizes Ouattara as the winner of the poll.