Refugees Flee to Capital City as Rebels March On

Refugees from Brikdahar fleeing towards the capital safety as rebels march on.

Rebel forces have captured the strategic town of Brikdahar, forcing some 13,000 residents to flee to the capital city as refugees. 

The road linking Brikdahar to Briktown is filled with cars and refugees on foot as bus services have ceased.

The Brikvanian Defence Ministry denied that the rebels have captured Brikdahar. "Our forces are still fighting the enemies in the town of Brikdahar, although the rebels have captured the main police station and Mayor's office", said a Defence Ministry official.

Residents contacted by phone however said that government troops have already withdrawn towards the capital city.  "No one is defending us now. We have seen the rebels patrolling the streets and killing government troops that had surrendered ", said a resident in Brikdahar.

Reporters at Main Highway 1 between Brikdahar and Briktown reported seeing government troops rushing to the capital city in taxis and lorries.

"It is a total chaos. I just saw about 8 taxis and 4 lorries with government troops in them. They were rushing to the capital city instead of fighting the rebels", said Linda Boucet, a reporter for the Legonian  Broadcasting Service. 

There are currently some 45,000 refugees inside Briktown. They came from the towns and districts that had fallen into the hand of the rebels. Most are staying in tents along the main streets of the city.

The Brikvanian Defence Ministry said that a new defence strategy is being designed to repel the rebels. "Rest assure we will win. Eat ice-cream and keep calm", said a Defence official with a smile.