DR Congo army retakes areas from ADF rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) army, supported by UN peacekeepers, have retaken some areas previously held by the Ugandan rebel group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the eastern region, an army official said on Monday.

Gen. Leon Mushale, head of the DR Congo army's third military zone in the east of the country, made the remarks nine days after the army and the UN peacekeeping force in DR Congo (MONUSCO) launched a joint operation aimed at ending ADF activities in areas around Beni City.

"We have managed to dislodge the enemy from their positions. We have recaptured a number of their camps. We have neutralized a number of the ADF rebels but we do not wish to give the number," Mushale said.

Despite the results, MONUSCO deputy commander, Gen. Jean Baillaud, said the ADF rebels still had the capacity to carry out attacks and that the military operation will continue to protect civilians.

The ADF rebels have killed thousands of people since 2014 in eastern DR Congo.

(APD)