On 4 September 2023, Peruvian military officials reported that a clash occurred between members of a military patrol and Maoist Shining Path rebel fighters in Huanta province in the Ayacucho region, located in the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM) area. At least four soldiers and two rebels were killed in the event that follows an armed confrontation in February, during which security forces suffered seven fatalities. Shining Path rebels have been known to use the VRAEM area to facilitate drug trafficking operations.