Guiglo, 19 October 2009... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on Friday, 16 October 2009, launched its second military exercise codenamed "Operation Umbrella 2" to provide security for the civilian population in the west of the country.

The operation is taking place in Yoya, a village situated 4 kilometres from Blolequin, 600 km west of Abidjan, under the supervision of the Beninois battalion Commander, Colonel Odoulami Dorothée.

"The objective of the operation is to show the presence of the UN Force and to reassure the civilian population as elections draw near", said Colonel Odoulami. He explained that Blolequin was selected because it is considered one of the hot points in the region.

Several battalions joined forces to ensure the success of "Operation Umbrella 2", which is due to end on 20 October 2009. The Moroccan battalion (MORBATT), based in Duekoué, provided logistical support with three armoured vehicles. MORBATT thus supported both infantry and armoured troops deployed by the BENINBATT during the reconnaissance of the premises in the morning, while UNOCI's Jordanian and Senegalese battalions also provided reinforcement.

In addition to this operation, the Beninois battalion on Saturday and Sunday organized free medical consultations for villagers in Yoya. BENINBATT also donated medicines to the orphanage in Blolequin.

The first operation to provide security for the civilian population in the west took place in Bangolo and Logoualé from 5 to 8 September 2009.

BENINBATT has also organized a crowd-control operation called "Iron Fist", which it carried out on 14 September 2009 in Kani village with the support of the Bangladeshi battalion based in Daloa.