Pro-Ravalomanana forces report that a contingent of 35 men took the town of Sambava from pro-Ratsiraka soldiers in a brief battle on June 2. The 35 troops moved into position on the night of June 1. The Ravalomanana group also took control of the airport, and western press sources reported three aircraft (two of them identified as Air Madagascar planes) flew in a larger contingent of Ravalomanana soldiers to reinforce the assault force. Western sources reported 12 people died in the fighting in and around Sambava, from June 1 through June 3. Four of the dead were civilians. Seven of the dead were identified as pro-Ratsiraka troops (which suggests on Ravalomanana soldier died in the fighting).