Army, police clash in capital of Madagascar, tense since coup

Army, police clash in Madagascar capital

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Shots and explosions could be heard as soldiers and police clashed in Madagascar’s capital.

The fighting broke out Thursday after hundreds of demonstrators tried to converge on police barracks to protest alleged abuses by the national police.

The police used heavy vehicles to block roads outside their barracks. It was not immediately clear what touched off the exchange of fire.

The protesters, blocked from reaching the barracks, cheered the sounds of fighting in the distance.