At least nine separatist fighters have been killed in violent clashes with government forces in Cameroon’s Northwest region, according to security sources.
On Saturday, separatists launched an assault on a military outpost, but the attack was swiftly repelled by Cameroonian troops. Four separatist fighters were killed in the clash, while several others were left injured, a military official disclosed on the condition of anonymity.
The day before, on Friday, government forces ambushed a group of separatists in the region, killing five fighters in the process, the same official confirmed.
In response to the military’s actions, separatist leaders announced on social media that one of their commanders was among those killed, pledging to retaliate in the coming days.
The Cameroonian military has ramped up its offensive against separatist groups since the beginning of the year, targeting and dismantling numerous separatist hideouts across the region, as reported by local authorities.
The ongoing conflict, which began in 2017, has seen separatists from the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions battling government forces in a bid to establish an independent state known as “Ambazonia.” Despite government efforts to suppress the insurgency, the conflict has caused widespread suffering, including displacement and significant casualties.