Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA772
2006-05-15 12:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
ITURI UPDATE: MILITIA ATTACK FARDC POSITIONS IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKI #0772 1351234 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151234Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3875 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 000772
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: MILITIA ATTACK FARDC POSITIONS IN
NIOKA
REF: KINSHASA 762
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000772
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: MILITIA ATTACK FARDC POSITIONS IN
NIOKA
REF: KINSHASA 762
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Militias believed to be associated with Peter Karim
and the Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) May 13-14
attacked positions of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
near the town of Nioka (approximately 50 miles northeast of
Bunia). According to FARDC spokesman Capt. Olivier Mputu, the
militia launched their attack on the FARDC the evening of May
13 and were repelled after an hours-long firefight. Mputu
said the militia attacked again the following day and were
again pushed back by Congolese troops. Mputu told PolOff May
15 some sporadic fighting is still being reported around
Nioka. (Note: The fighting in Nioka is not a planned element
of Operation Ituri Ember, reftel, which is concentrated
further south. End note.)
2. (C) MONUC military officials report the area around Nioka
has been brought under control of the FARDC, and the
Congolese appear to be holding their positions. MONUC will be
transporting additional ammunition to the FARDC troops in
Nioka May 15 and is deploying a patrol of MONUC peacekeepers
to help secure the area. MONUC sources report that while
fighting was apparently heavy between the militia and the
FARDC, there are not as yet any reliable casualty figures.
Mputu told PolOff the bodies of two militia members had been
recovered while one FARDC soldier was killed in the fighting.
Initial reports from Nioka indicated around 50 militia forces
had been killed, but more recent estimates place militia
casualties closer to 25 killed.
3. (C) Comment: While this is only one engagement, the
FARDC's conduct in the fight against the MRC in Nioka is
nonetheless encouraging. The FARDC, the target of a
militia-initiated attack, was able to hold its ground and
repel the militia without substantial MONUC logistical
support and planning. End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: MILITIA ATTACK FARDC POSITIONS IN
NIOKA
REF: KINSHASA 762
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Militias believed to be associated with Peter Karim
and the Congolese Revolutionary Movement (MRC) May 13-14
attacked positions of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
near the town of Nioka (approximately 50 miles northeast of
Bunia). According to FARDC spokesman Capt. Olivier Mputu, the
militia launched their attack on the FARDC the evening of May
13 and were repelled after an hours-long firefight. Mputu
said the militia attacked again the following day and were
again pushed back by Congolese troops. Mputu told PolOff May
15 some sporadic fighting is still being reported around
Nioka. (Note: The fighting in Nioka is not a planned element
of Operation Ituri Ember, reftel, which is concentrated
further south. End note.)
2. (C) MONUC military officials report the area around Nioka
has been brought under control of the FARDC, and the
Congolese appear to be holding their positions. MONUC will be
transporting additional ammunition to the FARDC troops in
Nioka May 15 and is deploying a patrol of MONUC peacekeepers
to help secure the area. MONUC sources report that while
fighting was apparently heavy between the militia and the
FARDC, there are not as yet any reliable casualty figures.
Mputu told PolOff the bodies of two militia members had been
recovered while one FARDC soldier was killed in the fighting.
Initial reports from Nioka indicated around 50 militia forces
had been killed, but more recent estimates place militia
casualties closer to 25 killed.
3. (C) Comment: While this is only one engagement, the
FARDC's conduct in the fight against the MRC in Nioka is
nonetheless encouraging. The FARDC, the target of a
militia-initiated attack, was able to hold its ground and
repel the militia without substantial MONUC logistical
support and planning. End comment.
MEECE