El Salvador: Thousands of troops surround city in gang crackdown

All roads leading to the city have been blocked, and special forces have been searching houses for gang members, Qazet.az reports.

Officers have also been stopping everyone attempting to leave the city and checking identity papers.

The operation is part of a massive crackdown on gangs after a surge in violence earlier this year.

The justice minister said 12 people had been arrested so far.

Soyapango is one of El Salvador's largest cities and is home to more than 290,000 people. The city - which sits just 13 km (8 miles) west of the capital San Salvador - has long been known as a hub for gang activity.