Government troops overrun UNITA base

Angolan government troops have captured a UNITA rebel base in the Cuemba district of the central highlands, a source with the Bie province operational command told Lusa on Thursday. The base, located near Sachinemuna about 250 km east of Kuito, was overrun on Monday by units of the 20th motorized infantry brigade, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. He added that it was “one of the last strongholds supplying UNITA guerrillas in the region”. The battle preceding the base’s capture lasted about five hours, the news agency reported. The source said 26 rebel soldiers were killed and one taken prisoner. The Cuemba district of eastern Bie is marked by dense forest where visibility is often difficult, even during daytime. The abandoned Benguela railroad runs through Cuemba, which is also the home region of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi.