An African Union-backed invasion force has set off from the Comoros island of Moheli for neighboring Anjouan.

About 1,500 African Union (AU) troops, mostly from Tanzania and Sudan, and about 400 Comoran soldiers are taking part in the military operation to remove Colonel Mahamed Bacar, the island's leader.

A foreign diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press news agency on Monday: "I can confirm that the boats carrying African Union and Comoran troops left this morning for Anjouan."

The federal government of the Union of Comoros has refused to recognize Bacar's re-election as the island's president last June and vowed to remove him.

Each of the three main islands in this Indian Ocean archipelago has a regional president. The country's main leadership, including Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, the president, is based in Moroni, on the main island of Grand Comore.

Residents warned

The fleet set sail as the central government used helicopters to drop leaflets on Anjouan warning of the coming assault and telling civilians to stay in their homes.

The National Development Army "informs all the residents of Anjouan that it will be in Anjouan within days or in the coming hours," the leaflets said.

On Sunday, the AU troops sent to the Indian Ocean island nation practiced beach landings for the operation named Democracy in Comoros.

An Anjouan minister told the AFP news agency that Bacar's troops were ready to face the government forces.

"We have heard on the radio that AU troops and forces loyal to Comoran President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi started moving," Mohamed Abdou Madi, one of Bacar's aides, said.

"They have decided to kill, but we are not afraid. We are well prepared. Our forces are ready and it's going to work."

Bacar is believed to have about 300 soldiers.

The government has accused Bacar of planning to break away from the union, but the Anjouan leader insists he wants only greater autonomy rather than full independence.

Last Thursday, he told the AFP news agency: "I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese. But I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan."

The archipelago has survived 19 coups or coup attempts since it acquired independence from France in 1975.

PHOTO CAPTION

Map of Comoros island

Al-Jazeera