Salvadoran rebels renew attacks on junta troops

January 23, 1981

Leftist guerrillas attacked government troops in three San Salvador suburbs in fierce fighting that ended a three-day lull the rebels' offensive to topple El Salvador's US-backed junta.

In Washington, Pentagon sources said the first shipments of US arms arrived in the war-torn Central American nation. The supplies -- including M-16 automatic rifles, grenade launchers, and ammunition - are part of a $5 million US military aid package to the junta. Washington last week announced the resumption of $5 million in "nonlethal" military aid, but has now announced the aid would also include "leth al" supplies.