Eight leaders of the self-defense militias commonly referred to as anti-Balakas have been arrested for terrorizing residents in the capital Bangui and other towns of Central African Republic, according to security sources.

The leaders including the militia's spokesman Yvon Konate were arrested by the French Sangaris force and the African troops under the auspices of the International Support Mission for Central African Republic (MISCA), the sources told Xinhua late Sunday.

The arrests of these armed men took place during an operation by the foreign troops in a stronghold of the anti-Balaka militias in Bangui.

"Eight leaders of the anti-Balakas were arrested. We have a list of those arrested since an arrest warrant had been issued against those perpetrating violence in Central African Republic," the prosecutor of the republic, Ghislain Gresenguet, told Xinhua on Sunday evening.

The operation targeted both officials of ex-Seleka rebels and those leading the militia group allied to former president Francois Bozize. They are accused of committing abuses against the local people and their names were confirmed by the current transition presidency.

The anti-Balaka militias and ex-Seleka rebels continued to fight against each other despite appeals for calm and restraint by Transition President Catherine Samba Panza, who was elected on Jan. 20 by the National Transition Council after the resignation of Michel Djotodia.