BUEA, Cameroon — Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) says it has killed two suspected separatist fighters during an operation targeting a separatist hideout in Bai Road, South West Region.

According to a military situation report, the operation was conducted on July 20 following intelligence indicating that the site served as a base for self-styled separatist commander “General Lion” and about 10 of his fighters, who were allegedly operating in the Mbonge and Muyuka subdivisions.

The military said government forces encountered no casualties during the operation.

It reported recovering eight firearms, including three HK G3 rifles, three AK-47 rifles, one PKM machine gun and one pistol. Security forces also seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition of various calibres, communication equipment, motorcycles, mobile phones, a mini drone, suspected improvised explosive device (IED) materials, satellite equipment and food supplies.

The military further said a camp used by the suspected separatists was destroyed during the operation. It also reported recovering registers containing information allegedly linked to separatist activities in Meme Division.

The operation is part of ongoing security efforts by Cameroonian forces to dismantle armed separatist groups operating in the country’s English-speaking North West and South West regions, where an armed conflict has persisted since 2017.

It comes days after the BIR eliminated Self-styled ambazonia general Sagat in Fako Division, South West Region.