Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA762
2006-05-12 11:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
ITURI UPDATE: FARDC, MONUC LAUNCH NEW ANTI-MILITIA
how-toVZCZCXRO2624 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0762 1321153 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121153Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3866 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 000762
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC, MONUC LAUNCH NEW ANTI-MILITIA
OPERATION
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000762
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC, MONUC LAUNCH NEW ANTI-MILITIA
OPERATION
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC),backed by MONUC
peacekeepers, launched May 9 a new military operation in
Ituri District with the aim of eliminating militias from the
Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) in Djugu territory
near Lake Albert. Operation Ituri Ember, which is composed of
forces from the FARDC's 811th Brigade and elements of the
Pakistani MONUC Battalion, by May 10 had captured the towns
of Kafe and Joo (approximately 15 miles east of Bunia),which
had previously been under MRC control. The towns are
currently being patrolled by FARDC troops. The
newly-installed MONUC Ituri Brigade Commander Mahboob Haider
Khan told PolOff May 6 during a visit to Bunia that MONUC was
targeting those locations in an effort to eradicate illegal
trade coming from Uganda across Lake Albert, as well as to
seize control over a suspected entry point for smuggled
weapons to the DRC.
2. (C) The joint FARDC-MONUC forces have also retaken control
of Tche, (approximately 13 miles northeast of Bunia) and as
of May 11, were advancing south towards the lakeside town of
Datule (nearly 11 miles southeast of Bunia). General Mahboob
said May 10 that two militia members had been killed in the
fighting and four others were captured. Mahboob also said the
operation had resulted in some displacement of the local
population, but there had not been large numbers of people
fleeing the area.
3. (C) Following a May 10 overflight tour of Djugu territory
to assess the operation, both General Mahboob and MONUC-Bunia
Head of Office Sharouh Sharif told PolOff in separate
conversations they were surprised by the lack of resistance
on the part of MRC militia during the fighting. Sharif said
he suspected the militia may have been informed beforehand
about the pending operations and subsequently fled the area.
Mahboob said despite encountering a weaker-than-expected
militia opposition, he would encourage FARDC commanders to
remain vigilant and continue a strong presence in the
newly-recaptured areas.
4. (C) Comment: While Operation Ituri Ember succeeded in
retaking several strategic locations east of Bunia, the main
concentration of militia forces remain south and north of
Ituri's main city. Operation Ember was meant as a feint to
catch MRC and other militias off guard as MONUC prepares for
the long-anticipated Operation Ituri Explorer. This latest
military move, while eliminating one threat, may only serve
to give advance warning to other militias, allowing them time
to regroup and rearm in different locations. End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC, MONUC LAUNCH NEW ANTI-MILITIA
OPERATION
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC),backed by MONUC
peacekeepers, launched May 9 a new military operation in
Ituri District with the aim of eliminating militias from the
Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) in Djugu territory
near Lake Albert. Operation Ituri Ember, which is composed of
forces from the FARDC's 811th Brigade and elements of the
Pakistani MONUC Battalion, by May 10 had captured the towns
of Kafe and Joo (approximately 15 miles east of Bunia),which
had previously been under MRC control. The towns are
currently being patrolled by FARDC troops. The
newly-installed MONUC Ituri Brigade Commander Mahboob Haider
Khan told PolOff May 6 during a visit to Bunia that MONUC was
targeting those locations in an effort to eradicate illegal
trade coming from Uganda across Lake Albert, as well as to
seize control over a suspected entry point for smuggled
weapons to the DRC.
2. (C) The joint FARDC-MONUC forces have also retaken control
of Tche, (approximately 13 miles northeast of Bunia) and as
of May 11, were advancing south towards the lakeside town of
Datule (nearly 11 miles southeast of Bunia). General Mahboob
said May 10 that two militia members had been killed in the
fighting and four others were captured. Mahboob also said the
operation had resulted in some displacement of the local
population, but there had not been large numbers of people
fleeing the area.
3. (C) Following a May 10 overflight tour of Djugu territory
to assess the operation, both General Mahboob and MONUC-Bunia
Head of Office Sharouh Sharif told PolOff in separate
conversations they were surprised by the lack of resistance
on the part of MRC militia during the fighting. Sharif said
he suspected the militia may have been informed beforehand
about the pending operations and subsequently fled the area.
Mahboob said despite encountering a weaker-than-expected
militia opposition, he would encourage FARDC commanders to
remain vigilant and continue a strong presence in the
newly-recaptured areas.
4. (C) Comment: While Operation Ituri Ember succeeded in
retaking several strategic locations east of Bunia, the main
concentration of militia forces remain south and north of
Ituri's main city. Operation Ember was meant as a feint to
catch MRC and other militias off guard as MONUC prepares for
the long-anticipated Operation Ituri Explorer. This latest
military move, while eliminating one threat, may only serve
to give advance warning to other militias, allowing them time
to regroup and rearm in different locations. End comment.
MEECE