YAOUNDE, June 11 (Xinhua) -- At least two Cameroonian soldiers were killed on Thursday in a separatist ambush in the country's war-torn English-speaking Northwest region, according to security sources.
The soldiers were stationed at a military outpost in the Belo locality when they were attacked, a military official in the region confirmed.
"The separatist terrorists took them by surprise. They ambushed them around 2 p.m. on Thursday. It is an unfortunate incident, and we continue to call on local populations to collaborate with security and defense forces to track down these criminals," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua.
Local media have reported an increase in attacks on civilians and security forces in the region in recent weeks. Since Monday, at least four soldiers and five civilians have been killed in shootings in the region, according to local police reports.
Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been gripped by an armed separatist conflict since 2017, with separatist groups seeking to establish an independent state. ■