U.N. Condemns Deadly Ambush Against Peacekeepers in Ivory Coast

Eight civilians died in southwestern Ivory Coast in the attack that killed seven U.N. peacekeepers, the United Nations said on Saturday.

"As per our information, at least eight civilians were killed, including a woman," Anouk Desgroseilliers, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told Agence France Presse.

She added that Friday's simultaneous raids on several villages near the town of Tai close to the Liberian border sparked an "immediate" exodus.

"Hundreds of people have arrived in Tai and one can imagine that thousands of others are on the road," she said. "Thirty-five families have crossed the border" into Liberia, she added.

The U.N. peacekeepers from Niger killed in an ambush on Friday had been patrolling in an area between two villages after hearing rumors of an imminent attack on communities in the region.

The Security Council on Friday "condemned in the strongest terms" the ambush in western Ivory Coast of seven U.N. peacekeepers from Niger.

A statement also said that general insecurity in the border region and "continued cross-border movements of armed elements, including militias and mercenaries" was cause for "deep concern."

The 15-member council called on the Ivory Coast government to "work with all relevant parties to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice."

As well, Security Council reiterated its "full support" for U.N. operation in the country (UNOCI).

Ivory Coast's west is by far the most unstable part of the country and has been plagued by deadly attacks since a political and military crisis that started at the end of 2010 and left some 3,000 people dead throughout the country.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast was first deployed in 2004 and currently counts more than 10,000 uniformed personnel.