Witnesses from villages around Smallville reported that ISIL armed men launched attacks on four AFE (Armed Forces of Equanter) forward positions around Smallville just after 11 pm last night. "The fighting was fierce and I saw many explosions at the army camp near my house," said one villager.
Reports from the ground confirmed many government troops were killed or captured by the rebels. Four army outposts have been overrun and between 40 to 50 government troops had been killed while an unknown number have been captured. Four out of six villages around Smallville are under ISIL control by dawn, while the only highway linking the town to the provincial capital Maname is coming under attack.
The spokesmen for AFE , Major Chatty Chat denied the success of ISIL in Smallville. "We had successfully killed most of the terrorists this morning. However, our young and smart defence planners in Army HQ decided we should withdraw from four army positions for strategic reason," said Major Chatty. He added," We should crush the rebels by tonight, no problem."
However, reporters from LBC (Lego Broadcasting Corporation) and LNN (Lego News Network) based in Smallville reported panic had set in among the residents and troops defending the town. "What we are seeing here is anxiety as the only road out of the town is under threat by the rebels. The people here are scared of ISIL," claimed the reporters. "Once the town is surrounded and cut off from the rest of the province, ISIL will easily capture the town."
It was estimated some 500 AFE troops from the 1st Royal Military Police Battalion were defending Smallville since two days ago when ISIL launched its first offensive on Smallville. If ISIL successes are true, between 100-150 of these troops would have been killed or captured by ISIL since last night.
In the meantime, more AFE reinforcements have been sent to the frontline. Residents along the main highway to Smallville reported seeing truckloads of government soldiers moving towards the town.