French troops useless in Central African Republic battles, 75 dead in latest clash with Muslims

Muslim extremists continue to target Christians and peacekeepers in escalating violence in the Central African Republic.

A priest reported Monday that 75 are dead in the small town of Boda as heavy fighting between rebels and peacekeepers continue.

France has sent over 1,500 troops to aid the 5,000 African peace workers in an attempt to quell the violence.

Father Cassien Kamatari told The Associated Press on Monday that fighting had erupted five days ago in the town of Boda, about 60 miles outside Bangui.

Muslim victims were buried soon after the attacks so it was not known how many of them also were killed in addition to the toll given by the priest.

“Instead of thinking only of Bangui, people must also think of what’s happening in the countryside, because what we are living through in these communities is horrific,” he said.

Several months after the president was overthrown, the armed, Muslim fighters also were being blamed for carrying out massacres on predominantly Christian villages in the country’s remote northwest.

Now an alleged Christian group has taken up arms, calling themselves the anti-Balaka, to battle the rebels. They are accused of carrying out several human rights abuses themselves.

The violence is now spreading, displacing tens of thousands as they flee for their lives.