UPDATE — On September 10, nine days after the reported abduction of 55 people in CAR, it has been confirmed that 53 of those people were released from LRA captivity. A fact-finding mission organized by local authorities confirmed both the initial abduction and the report of the 53 released victims. The two abductees who did not return are presumed to have been killed by the LRA while in captivity. This was the largest abduction since 2010 and matches the trend of the LRA to abduct civilians and force them to carry supplies to LRA camps looted from their own communities. Follow @CrisisTracker and visit the LRACrisisTracker.com for more details.

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In the early morning of September 1, 2012, approximately 20 armed LRA forces attacked the remote communities of Balifondo and Zobe Mbari in the Central African Republic, and reportedly abducted a total of 55 civilians, including at least 14 children. The LRA also severely beat and injured more than 15 men, and looted food and other goods from the communities. According to a local witness who escaped the attack unharmed, the combatants were armed with AK47s, homemade hunting rifles, and clubs.

This is the largest abduction reported to the LRA Crisis Tracker since September 2010 and is a stark reminder that the LRA is still very active in remote communities throughout Central Africa. Visit LRACrisisTracker.com for real-time updates on LRA incidents or follow them on Twitter @CrisisTracker.

Read the full Reuters article here.

*Details of the incident and number of abductees are still being investigated and confirmed.

(Photo Credit: LRA Crisis Tracker)