Ivory Coast reviews security after attacks

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ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The Ivorian defense minister said security officials were reprimanded following attacks near Abidjan.

Ivorian forces were attacked at military installations near Abidjan in recent days. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast said militants made off with weapons from the armory near a military base. The mission said it sent peacekeepers to the area to help support the Ivorian military.

Ivorian Defense Minister Paul Koffi Koffi said three officials in charge of the military base were fired and some soldiers responsible for security at the armory were thrown in prison, reports Bloomberg News.

Ivorian conflict has escalated since the International Criminal Court postponed a hearing for former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo until issues surrounding his health are resolved.

The court said there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Gbagbo bears criminal responsibility "as an indirect co-perpetrator" on four counts of crimes against humanity, including rape and murder.

Ivory Coast was pushed to the brink of civil war following disputed 2010 presidential elections that saw Alassane Ouattara emerge victorious over Gbagbo.

Human rights groups suspect both sides committed atrocities during the post-election crisis. A Wall Street Journal report Thursday states "hundreds" of fighters loyal to Ouattara were behind summary executions and torture during the violence.