Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1930
2006-12-28 13:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK BY NKUNDA FORCES UNSUCCESSFUL
how-toVZCZCXRO5514 PP RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1930 3621301 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281301Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5354 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001930
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS DPKO CG
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK BY NKUNDA FORCES UNSUCCESSFUL
REF: KINSHASA 1846
Classified By: PolOff TJNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001930
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS DPKO CG
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK BY NKUNDA FORCES UNSUCCESSFUL
REF: KINSHASA 1846
Classified By: PolOff TJNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) Three relatively calm weeks between pro-Nkunda and
FARDC forces in North Kivu ended December 27 with an early
morning pre-emptive attack by the former. According to
MONUC, pro-Nkunda forces began firing at 3am on FARDC
soldiers of the 1st Reserve Brigade in the hills outside
Runyoni, near the village of Jomba. The two sides had
remained stalemated at Runyoni since December 8 (reftel).
Intermittent fighting continued much of the day at Kasebeya,
Nyarubara, and Kabasanza, ended toward evening, and began
again December 28. Pro-Nkunda forces failed to capture any
FARDC positions.
2. (SBU) In the afternoon on December 27, FARDC reinforced
its positions with four truckloads of soldiers of the 92nd
Brigade to Bunagana and one company to nearby Shangi. They
also reportedly prepared attack helicopters in Goma for
possible deployment. A MONUC political officer could not
confirm media reports of 18 pro-Nkunda troop deaths. He said
the count came from FARDC sources, who may be inclined to
exaggerate. FARDC requested MONUC assistance to evacuate 10
wounded FARDC soldiers, but the MONUC North Kivu Brigade did
not directly assist the FARDC in combat.
3. (C) The MONUC political officer told us he considered
the pre-emptive attack a "desperate move" by pro-Nkunda
forces trying to expand their influence along the Ugandan
border to facilitate reinforcements and resupply. They may
have been encouraged to renew fighting by a December 25 FARDC
decision to move troops out of the area and concentrate them
at Rumangabo, ten kilometers away. MONUC military sources
said the decision was against advice from the MONUC North
Kivu Brigade not to reduce FARDC combat strength in Runyoni.
DOUGHERTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS DPKO CG
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK BY NKUNDA FORCES UNSUCCESSFUL
REF: KINSHASA 1846
Classified By: PolOff TJNaber, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) Three relatively calm weeks between pro-Nkunda and
FARDC forces in North Kivu ended December 27 with an early
morning pre-emptive attack by the former. According to
MONUC, pro-Nkunda forces began firing at 3am on FARDC
soldiers of the 1st Reserve Brigade in the hills outside
Runyoni, near the village of Jomba. The two sides had
remained stalemated at Runyoni since December 8 (reftel).
Intermittent fighting continued much of the day at Kasebeya,
Nyarubara, and Kabasanza, ended toward evening, and began
again December 28. Pro-Nkunda forces failed to capture any
FARDC positions.
2. (SBU) In the afternoon on December 27, FARDC reinforced
its positions with four truckloads of soldiers of the 92nd
Brigade to Bunagana and one company to nearby Shangi. They
also reportedly prepared attack helicopters in Goma for
possible deployment. A MONUC political officer could not
confirm media reports of 18 pro-Nkunda troop deaths. He said
the count came from FARDC sources, who may be inclined to
exaggerate. FARDC requested MONUC assistance to evacuate 10
wounded FARDC soldiers, but the MONUC North Kivu Brigade did
not directly assist the FARDC in combat.
3. (C) The MONUC political officer told us he considered
the pre-emptive attack a "desperate move" by pro-Nkunda
forces trying to expand their influence along the Ugandan
border to facilitate reinforcements and resupply. They may
have been encouraged to renew fighting by a December 25 FARDC
decision to move troops out of the area and concentrate them
at Rumangabo, ten kilometers away. MONUC military sources
said the decision was against advice from the MONUC North
Kivu Brigade not to reduce FARDC combat strength in Runyoni.
DOUGHERTY