Due to the mounting tension and violence in the Central African region, the United States has agreed to airlift African Union forces to the Central African Republic in order to help French troops put down rising violence, according to the Wall Street Journal reported.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel signed off on the U.S. transport plans on Sunday night, the quick response will allow the French to carry troops from Burundi to the Central African Republic where there are already 1,600 French troops deployed, according to the Journal.
Since the rebel group claimed power over the landlocked country in Central Africa in March and Michel Djotodia named himself president, 400 lives have been claimed, leading to the intervention of the French forces, the Journal reported.
Gunfire broke out on Monday near the airport in the Central African Republic after gunmen refused to hand over their weapons to French troops, who were later attacked by rebels in the city center, Reuters reported. French soldiers later went in and disarmed fighters in the area.
A fight between troops and gunmen occurred in Bangui on Monday, as the French searched for weapons and suspects involved in the killing of over 400 people in Burundi, according to Reuters. The goal of the operation was to remove weapons from rival Muslim and Christian fighters who are responsible for killing hundreds of people since last Dec. 5, according to Reuters.
The U.S. planes are scheduled to begin their journey in the next two days, according to defense officials, the Journal reported. Officials have also stated no U.S. personnel will be deployed on the ground.
The attack came on the eve of the authorization from the U.N. Security Council for France to use lethal force to help African peacekeepers already struggling to restore order, Reuters reported.
"This is not an easy job but our soldiers are well prepared," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France Inter radio, according to Reuters. "If that is not enough, force is going to be employed."
