French forces destroy Ivorian warplanes

French forces in Ivory Coast have destroyed two Ivorian warplanes after they hit a French target in the rebel-held town of Bouake…

French forces in Ivory Coast have destroyed two Ivorian warplanes after they hit a French target in the rebel-held town of Bouake, killing eight French soldiers, a United Nations official says.

"Military sources from the UN said that two Sukhoi (warplanes) belonging to the Ivorian army have just been destroyed by the French after these aircraft targeted and hit a French target," said Mr Jean-Victor Nkolo, spokesman for the UN mission in Ivory Coast.

"Eight were killed and 23 wounded. All were French military," he said.