THE Angolan army claimed on Thursday that it has recaptured central parts of the country including Katchiungu and Chinguar from Unita rebels. Government troops also captured an artillery battery which had enabled the rebels to bombard the town of Malanje, the army said. Huambo province governor Paulo Kassoma said that the government offensive has enabled the opening of a land corridor between Huambo and Kuito, which came under Unita bombardment in December. The army said that fighting continued on Thursday around the Unita strongholds of Mungo and Bailundo, 600km south-east of the capital, Luanda.