10 killed in confrontations in Ecuador, Peru declares state of emergency on northern border

At least ten people were killed, including two police officers, and two others were injured in riots in the cities of Guayaquil and Nobol in Ecuador, Ecuadorian police announced.A security source in Guayaquil explained that eight people were killed and two were injured. In addition, two cars and two motorcycles were burned, a police officer was injured, and 14 people were detained.Nobol Police said that gunmen also killed two police officers in Guayas province.After a series of riots, and the escape of top gang leaders from prisons in Ecuador, the country's president Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency for 60 days to regain control of the prison system.Police said that unidentified attackers kidnapped 7 officers in Quito and Machala, in less than 24 hours.In response, President Noboa declared the country entering into an internal armed conflict, and ordered the army to "neutralize" 22 criminal gangs with tens of thousands of members.Due to the escalation of violence in Ecuador, Peru declared a state of emergency along its northern border.Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola stated that the declaration of emergency in his country would allow the deployment of a number of army forces to support the police forces. (QNA)