Four gendarmes killed by suspected secessionists in SW Cameroon

YAOUNDE, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A group of suspected secessionists from the Southwest Region, one of Cameroon's two English-speaking regions, attacked a gendarmerie post close to the border with Nigeria Monday afternoon, killing four militaries, according to security sources.

The attack has targeted the Kembong gendarmerie station not far from the city of Mamfe in the Southwest Region. According to security sources, two gendarmes were killed on the spot, while two others died after being transported to a hospital.

Several heavy weapons were also taken by the attackers from the gendarmes killed, added the sources.

Since October last year, the English-speaking part of Cameroon, representing about 20 percent of the population, has been the scene of protests and violence against what the Anglophone minority believe is marginalization. Some radical protesters have become armed secessionists.

Last month, up to 10 members of Cameroonian defense and security forces were killed by the secessionists. Enditem