ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast >> The United Nations mission in Ivory Coast began evacuating some 200 employees after frequent attacks on its headquarters by forces loyal to the country’s strongman.

A U.N. employee said they were told Sunday that they were leaving. They were taken by helicopter from the U.N. base downtown to the airport. Another helicopter will take them to the northern city of Bouake.

The person asked not to be named because employees are not authorized to speak to the press.

The evacuation order is for all “essential employees.” Nonessential employees were already evacuated several months ago. The U.N.’s military personnel is still in Ivory Coast.

The French military force in Ivory Coast secured the airport early Saturday.