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Army Troops Deployed in Rio Slum to Fight Drug Gang Violence (24 photos)

Over the past two weeks, rival drug trafficking gangs and factions in Rio de Janeiro’s giant Rocinha favela fought frightening street battles for dominance. The heavily-armed gang members were more than local police could handle, so 950 army soldiers were deployed to the narrow streets and alleys of Rocinha on Friday. After numerous arrests, officials say the favela is now back under control, with the soldiers still in place for the time being.

Brazilian army military police patrol an alley in the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 25, 2017. Shootouts had erupted in several areas of Rio on September 22, prompting Brazilian authorities to shut roads, close schools and ask for the Army to intervene, following days of violence across the neighborhood. (Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty)
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/09/army-troops-deployed-in-rio-slum-to-fight-drug-gang-violence/541284/