The Zimbabwean army has confirmed its seizure of power in an attack targeting "criminals" surrounding President Robert Mugabe, but said the country was not witnessing a military coup, asserting that the president and his family were okay.
"As soon as our mission is completed, we expect the situation to return to normal," a military officer read a brief statement on state television early on Wednesday, saying the army's actions were merely "targeting criminals around" Mugabe.
There were reports that at least three explosions were heard in the capital Harare early today, heavy exchanges of fire took place, military vehicles and soldiers were deployed in the streets, and the army controlled the National Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
The army arrested Finance Minister Ignacius Chumbo, a prominent member of a ruling party wing known as G-40 led by Mugabe's wife, Grace.
Armed forces chief Constantine Chionga threatened 24 hours ago to intervene to end a "clean-up campaign against his allies in the ruling party."
Mugabe said on Tuesday he was committed to "political sovereignty over arms" and accused Cheonga's behavior of "treacherous behavior ... aimed at instigating the insurgency".
America and Britain
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Harare called on its Zimbabweans to "protect themselves" because of the current "uncertainty" in the country's political and security situation caused by an unprecedented warning to President Mugabe.
"The US Embassy in Harare is closely monitoring developments in Zimbabwe," a State Department official said. "We encourage all parties to resolve conflicts peacefully and peacefully in a framework of democratic and constitutional processes that are transparent to resolve differences," he said in a statement.
In a similar move, Britain urged its citizens in Zimbabwe to commit to their homes because of "the mysterious political situation in Harare, including reports of unusual military activity."