Armed Amazon tribesmen have briefly seized an oilfield in Ecuador, halting production before clashing with soldiers who reclaimed the facility, the defence ministry says.
A group of Huaorani people carrying spears, blowpipes and guns stormed the oilfield, the ministry said in a statement.
They were "looting and damaging and paralysing production," the statement said.
The oilfield is run by Petrobell, a subsidiary of Brazilian group Synergy, and is located in the southeastern province of Pastaza.
It normally produces about 3200 barrels a day.
Officials said military intervention was necessary "in order to protect civilians".
Six soldiers were injured in clashes and seven Huaorani were arrested.
In March 2011, a group of Huaorani also occupied a Petrobell oilfield.
Ecuador is the smallest OPEC member, with a daily output of 555,000 barrels between January and October 2014.
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