Equanter Launches Operation "Sunshine" - 20,000 Equanterians and Legolis troops moved into rebels' held territories

Equanterian troops pounding rebels' positions at the outskirts of Maname.

A combined Equanter and Kingdom of Lego military force has launched a massive military operation to retake Smallville and expel rebel forces from Eastern Province. The operation, involving up to 20,000 troops, had began late last night. Heavy fighting are reported across several fronts. 

An Equanterian Defence Ministry's communique this morning stated: "The combined Equanter-Kingdom of Lego armed forces have launched Operation 'Sunshine' late last night. The objective of the operation is to retake Smallville and secure Equanterian border from foreign attackers. As of 7 am this morning, the Alliance forces have destroyed rebels' frontline and are moving towards Smallville."

Equanterian ground forces, which have massed outside Maname, began pounding the rebel's positions with heavy artillery and helicopter gunships. While Equanterian forces are concentrating on the central front, units from the Royal Armed Forces of Legoland (RAFL) have moved from the north and southern flanks, cutting off forward rebel's positions from their rear.

In the Norwood front of the southern flank, the Kingdom of 1st Lego Royal Infantry Division (1st LRI) have moved out at 0100 hrs and encircled rebels' defensive positions outside the village. After fierce battles lasting 2 hours, the village and its surrounding have been secured and by 5 am this morning, elements of the 1st LRI were reported trying to secure Highway M1 towards Smallville.

On the northern flank, RAFL troops from the elite Lions Brigade have punched through the soft rebels' positions before rushing towards the border with Malatia. It is believed their objective is to capture Checkpoint Alpha, the main border crossing between Equanter and Malatia which is under rebels' control.  Capturing the border crossing is essential to cut off rebels' supplies coming from Malatia.