DETAILS: UPDF Strikes New ADF Bases in DRC as Militants Regroup
UPDF used long-range artillery to strike two more positions of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
ChimpReports this morning broke the news about the fresh military strikes on ADF bases.
“Two more positions in the same general area that were struck on 30 Nov were identified following sustained surveillance on them,” said Deputy defence spokesperson, Lt Col Ronand Kakurungu when contacted about the new development.
He said ADF were “regrouping around Kambi Yayu and Belu, which we successfully engaged with Artillery fire last evening (Sunday, 12 December, 2021).”
Asked how the UPDF established the impact or success of the strikes, Kakurungu said, “from intelligence sources.”
Local contacts confirmed hearing loud explosions in the targeted areas.
Kakurungu said the strikes are “aimed at denying the enemy freedom of movement and freedom of action.”
UPDF and Congolese forces on November 30 launched joint aerial and long-range artillery attacks on ADF bases.
While the two armies described the operation as a big success, they are yet to release pictures or videos of targeted encampments.
The leader of the Islamic fundamentalist movement, Musa Baluku, remains unaccounted for.
DRC and Ugandan army officers inspecting Semliki bridge last week (Courtesy photos)
But Land Forces commander Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba this past weekend hinted at the possibility of Baluku fleeing the jungles.
The Islamist militant outfit was formed in the 1990s by disgruntled Muslim leaders and primarily concerned itself with domestic grievances within Uganda.
But after re-emerging in eastern Congo, its activity has taken on a more global jihadist dimension, with attacks increasingly being claimed in the name of the Islamic State (IS) group.
Advance
Kakurungu disclosed that UPDF forces have continued with advance operations to new positions from where joint mobile operations with FARDC will be launched to hunt down the terrorists in the jungles.
The UPDF’s Forward Operating Base is located in Mukakati, Ituri, about 18 kilometres from the Ugandan border point of Busunga.
The Ugandan and DRC soldiers last Friday crossed River Semliki, officially entering deep into territories previously controlled by ADF.
UPDF commandos operating near Semliki bridge
Local reports said fleeing ADF rebels were carrying out revenge attacks on the civilian population for collaborating with UPDF and the Congolese army known by its french acronym, FARDC.
Kakurungu said as “ADF continue to commit atrocities against soft civilian targets in DRC, the mobile operations and air/artillery strikes are meant to stop that too.”
‘Hundreds’
Asked about the number of ADF casualties in the fresh military strikes, Kakurungu said they were in “hundreds.”
He, however, said the joint forces did not capture any ADF fighters in the new offensive.
ChimpReports understands UPDF uses night-vision drones for reconnaissance before and after military strikes, giving commanders an aerial view of hit targets.
Kakurungu said the defence positions along the Uganda-DRC border were being fortified as a preventive measure.
“We are aware some (ADF) will attempt to cross into Uganda to attack civilians; so we have reinforced all our border deployments and stepped up community mobilisation for vigilance,” he observed
61 ADF fighters have so far surrendered to FARDC.
“We encourage others who wish to surrender to Uganda, especially the Ugandans to do so because the Amnesty law is still in force and they can benefit from it,” said Kakurungu.
At least 34 ADF fighters have so far been captured in joint military operations since November 30.
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