Dozens killed in latest violence over Ivory Coast presidential dispute

At least 25 people were killed in Ivory Coast on Thursday when forces loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo fired a series of shells into a neighbourhood that supports his rival and presidential claimant, Alassane Ouattara.

The violent dispute between Ouattara – whose claim to the presidency has U.N. backing – and incumbent leader Gbagbo has escalated in the past three weeks into heavy fighting in the main commercial city Abidjan.

On Thursday, dozens were killed when shells fell without warning on a market in front of the mayor's office in Abobo, a district held by fighters loyal to Ouattara. Earlier in the day, pro-Ouattara fighters ambushed a police station in the Adjame district of Abidjan, though it was unclear whether anyone was killed.

The death toll from violence since the disputed November election has now surpassed 400, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced.

Listen to report by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: