Original sentence: South African and UNITA forces, having gained the upper-hand with Operation Modular, then launched Operation Hooper, mauling FAPLA/Cuban forces as they withdrew back to Cuito Cuanavale
Edited sentence: South African and UNITA forces, having gained the upper-hand with Operation Modular, then launched Operation Hooper, mauling FAPLA/Cuban forces as they beat a retreat back to Cuito Cuanavale