U.N. forces hit Gbagbo loyalist camps

A fire is seen at a naval base controlled by forces loyal to strongman Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Sunday. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The U.N. secretary-general ordered an attack to protect civilians, peacekeepersGbagbo loyalists were endangering civilians, U.N. official says"We are taking out" several positions, the official saysThe U.N. found more than 100 bodies over 24 hours (CNN) -- U.N. military helicopters Sunday pounded heavy weapons positions of fighters loyal to self-declared Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, U.N. officials said.

U.N. Special Representative Young-Jin Choi said pro-Gbagbo forces were shelling the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, where the country's internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara is staying, and "today they began to shell our quarters" -- the section of the hotel in which the U.N. forces are headquartered -- as well. "So we decided we cannot pass this moment without action," Choi said.

Who is Alassane Ouattrara?

Together with the French military, U.N. forces targeted key positions. Choi said there were "several camps" belonging to the Gbagbo loyalists. "We are taking them out."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he ordered the military operation Sunday "to prevent the use of heavy weapons which threaten the civilian population of Abidjan and our peacekeepers."

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