More than 6,000 displaced persons and refugees have been registered in The Gambia, fleeing violence for a week between the army and rebels in Casamance.

The Senegalese army announced that it had launched an operation on March 13 against rebels in Casamance, separated from northern Senegal by Gambia. 

“The main objective is to dismantle the bases” of rebel military leader Salif Sadio, located along the northern border with Gambia, the army explained.

People fleeing the violence and identified since March 13 number 6,350, including 4,508 displaced, said the Gambian National Agency for Crisis Management. 

“Because of the situation in the Casamance region of Senegal, the Foni Kansala area has become a safe haven for both refugees and displaced people.” 

“These people can no longer stay in their homes because of the proximity of the fighting and the overall implications of the ongoing conflict,” the agency added.

The Foni Kansala, in Gambian territory, borders Casamance and is close to the area where fighting is taking place between the Senegalese army and rebels of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), which has been fighting for independence since 1982.

The Gambian government has promised to help the displaced and President Adama Barrow has ordered increased patrols near the border, saying he will protect the small state “against any foreign threat”.