
Rebel forces have been making gains in the past 24 hours, capturing many government army outposts around the town of Smallville.
The fall of the highway and 6 villages around Smallville meant the town is totally surrounded by the rebels. In many fierce battles taking place for the past three days, the rebels have successfully overran more than 8 AFE bases or checkpoints. It is believed as of now, a total of 200 AFE soldiers have been killed or captured.
The fall of Smallville will be a crushing blow to the Royal Government, which has been under pressure for its failure to deal with the rebellion successfully. The success of ISIL in Smallville will also create panic at the provincial capital of Maname, some 10 km away.
Remnants of AFE troops have pulled back into Smallville and have set up defensive perimeters around the town after losing 2 checkpoints and 2 forward bases to ISIL. Meanwhile, food and supplies are running low in the town and many residents were caught in the cross fire and had taken shelter in the Town Hall.
AFE reinforcement have been flown into the Provincial Capital of Maname, where all military operations are being centralised and coordinated. The local airport has seen flights of planes and helicopters delivering soldiers for the frontline. These reinforcements - troops from the 1st Guards Division and police special forces are battling roadblocks set by ISIL along the highway to Smallville in order to lift the siege over the town.