LIBERIA: HEAVY FIGHTING RESUMES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06861718
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 3, 2020
• Case Number: F-2017-02018
• Publication Date: July 26, 1990

Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
Czqr
Director of Central Intelligence
NATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
DAILY
Thursday, 26 July 1990
L,19,9191"
TOZ.5)11,CX,ft
CPAS N1D 90-173JX
TCS 2873/90
16 July 1990
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
II
Contents
Liberia: Heavy Fighting Resumes
Germanys: Coalition Squabble
4
USSR: Supply Problems Squeeze Industry
USSR-India: Relations Warm but OM Issues Persist
5
6
Notes UK: Projecting Large Cuts in European Forces
Yugoslavia: Croatia's Serbs Declare Sovereignty
USSR: Trying To Control "Illegal" Armed Groups
USSR: Military Presence in Angola Criticized
8
8
9
11
In Brief
TCS 2873/90
26 July 1990
13
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
---)" j 17-,
C
MIN
Military Situation, Late July 1990
Johnson's forces '
bottle government
MVt amba
Point
DON
Wabiradi
TojiSect
TCS 2873/9
26 July 1990
Liberia
Camp
011ROVIieRamrod
Ivory
Coast
� 7103297410
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718
LIBERIA: Heavy Fighting Resumes
Fighting broke out in several sections of Monrovia yesterday as rival
rebel groans marred Doe's army from opposite ends of the capital.
Heavy firing occurred yesterday morning between the army and
Prince Johnson's forces at the two bridges leading from Bushrod
Island into the city, in Waterside, and parts of downtown Monrovia.
Fighting was also reported in Sinkor and Congo Town, probably
between Charles Taylor's troops and government soldiers. Although
the fighting downtown abated by afternoon, skirmishes continued
throughout the day in the southern Congo Town suburb. Shooting
also was heard at Spriggs-Payne Airport, and some
claim Taylor's troops have captured the airfield.
the
army was preparing to attack the mission compound at Elwa and
warned people to leave. After their departure, loud explosions and
heavy firing began.
The army remains suspicious of US intentions and of those seeking
refuge at area churches, schools, and hospitals. A government
communique charged that US officials, including the former
Ambassador, had been involved in helping the rebels. Soldiers
yesterday entered a local hospital and school and chased people out.
soldiers have killed some of
the refugees. Some 7,000 displaced Monrovians are at the US-leased
compound across from the Embassy
Johnson's forces have gained a
number of recruits since arriving on Bushrod Island last week.
Johnson reportedly has set up headquarters there and is passing out
free rice and rallying the residents. He claims he clans to "get" Doe,
then deal with Taylor.
Comment: The vise on Monrovia may tighten again today. Johnson's
forces seem to be continuing their strategy of hit-and-run attacks
downtown, followed by a return to Bushrod toward the end of the day
to regroup. Taylor's troops apparently have decided to abandon their
more cautious tactics and bypass Camp Ramrod, risk a rear assault,
and enter the capital along back roads. As the army becomes penned
in on both sides, the behavior of government soldiers toward those
suspected of sympathizing with the insurgents�including displaced
persons and foreign diolomats�is likely to grow more erratic and
unpredictable.
3
ToSeciet
TCS 2873/9
26 July 1990
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2020/09/01 C06861718