Operation Unicorn

The Licorne ( German: Operation Unicorn ) is a French assistance mission in the Ivory Coast. It was founded shortly after the Civil War 2002-2007 in life. The main mission objectives are the provision of support for the UN Mission Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d' Ivoire ( UNOCI ) and ensuring the security of French citizens who reside in the Ivory Coast. It consisted on 1 April 2011 from about 600 French elite troops. According to other reports 300 soldiers were sent to the attached unit on a man strength of 1400 soldiers on April 3, 2011.

The base of the Licorne is located in Port - Bouët, a district of Abidjan, directly adjacent to the Abidjan airport.

Coordination with the UN mission UNOCI is governed by the resolution 1609 of the UN Security Council.

History

On 8 March 2011 imposed Laurent Gbagbo, in the wake of the government crisis, a ban on flights by the Licorne and UNOCI on the Ivorian territory. On 31 March 2011, according to a correspondent patrolled the TV channel BFM TV in Abidjan French soldiers, probably from the Licorne, and were stationed at strategic points. On April 3, soldiers took over the Licorne control of the airport of Abidjan. In the base the Licorne were at the time in 1700 foreigners, including 800 French.