South African military commanders responded to the SWAPO rainy-season offensive with renewed threats against the People's Republic of Angola. A number of incursions into Angolan territory took place during the first months of 1987. These were presented as pre-emptive or hot-pursuit operations against SWAPO guerillas making use of Angolan territory, but according to Angolan sources they involved clashes with FAPLA, the Angolan defence force.
General Meiring declared that during 1986 the South African forces had attacked Angola 'as often as in past years, only last year we did not publicise it'. He stated that the Angolan armed forces had been considerably strengthened and that South African air superiority over the southern parts of the country was no longer unquestioned.
During January South African forces attacked a number of FAPLA positions inside Angola, including the settlements of Xangongo and Mongua. In the conflict at Mongua, which is more than 50 miles inside Angola, the South Africans claimed to have killed more than 60 Angolans and SWAPO fighters whom they said they were pursuing. This was disputed by the Angolan authorities, who said that the town had been attacked by a force of 34 armoured vehicles supported by 12 helicopter gunships and four fighter-bombers. Pursuit of SWAPO guerillas was simply a pretext for further aggression against Angola, said the Angolan news agency, ANGOP.
