17 terrorists killed, 43 arrested by National Guard in Amarpa clashes
AMARPA - Thirty seven terrorists have been killed over the last two days in clashes with the National Guard in Amarpa Department, the Ministry of National Defense announced Sunday.
The National Guard was ordered into terrorist-controlled rural villages in southern Amarpa Department to flush out members of the terrorist organization, the so-called Liberation Forces of Esteira (FLE), who have controlled villages near the border with the Federation of Bana since late 2022.
Fighting began outside Penalva at 1130 hrs on January 13 and has continued since, with the National Guard making large gains against the FLE and killing 17 terrorists. The Ministry of National Defense announced an additional 43 fighters had been arrested. Two members of the National Guard were killed and seven were wounded.
President Souza praised the National Guard in a statement and asked residents for “patience,” pledging that all citizens in Amarpa Department will “soon be able to return to their normal lives.”
Souza calms rising fears as blasts rock Matoja
MATOJA - President Luis Souza calmed fearful residents of Matoja in a radio broadcast following renewed attacks by the improperly named “Liberation Forces of Esteira” (FLE).
FLE terrorists launched an attack against a convoy of National Guard troops who were sent to Matoja to support embattled National Police forces, who were busy putting down riots by FLE sympathizers. No National Guardsmen were killed or wounded in the cowardly attack, though three trucks carrying supplies were destroyed.
“Our brave fighters successfully defeated the cowards and sent them running back into the jungle, but not before killing most of them. The only threats to Matoja are the unpatriotic riots that communist sympathizers continue to perpetrate,” Souza said in his radio broadcast. “I ask the people of Matoja to remain in their homes, and leave them only if necessary. The Police and Guardsmen will keep you safe from these traitors.”
Residents are reminded to obey the 1900-0600 curfew that remains in effect for the following departments:
- Amarpa
- Vidago
- Santiariz
- Cadaval
- Pedroso
- Aguande
- Porto Verde
