(Rapaport…September 26, 2001) Angola’s UNITA rebels said in a statement sent to Reuters that they had killed 23 government soldiers and seized their weapons in an attack on government officials near the capital of Luanda. UNITA said the attacks were part of a new initiative aimed at taking over the capital. There was no independent confirmation of the attack.
“As part of the expansion program of its offensive and defensive military actions, the UNITA Armed Forces have just penetrated into Luanda province,” the statement said.
UNITA rebels have also been suspected of attacking a power station on the outskirts of the Angolan capital. A gun battle took place between the attackers and soldiers in the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA). At least three people were killed and power supplies were interrupted.