Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) today morning launched ground and airstrikes against Alliance Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel camps inside Congo -Defense spokesperson Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso said.
The UPDF offensive is undertaken alongside the Congolese Army with an intention to flush out the ADF that has terrorized the region for more than a decade and committed heinous crimes against the people.
“This morning, we have launched joint air and artillery strikes against ADF camps with our Congolese allies.” Brig Gen Byekwaso tweeted without providing details of the attack.
The launch of this new offensive was anticipated after media reports last week quoted a high-ranking government official saying Uganda had delayed to attack the ADF rebels inside Congo pending a green light by Kinshahsa government and the International community.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem said Uganda has a right and is ready to deploy it’s military in “self defense” to flush out the subversive and terrorist groups in Congo but lacked legitimacy. Oryem said the UPDF offensive against ADF inside Congo was only held back by the fact that the last time Uganda went to DRC, it was accused of plunder and the case is still in Court.
On Sunday, reports indicated that the plan by the Uganda government to hunt down the Allied Democratic Forces from their hide outs in the Eastern Congo has reached final stage after obtaining a formal green light from the Congolese government.
The military offensive by UPDF could also have been prompted by recent acts of terror in which many Ugandans lost their lives. The latest suicide Bombings in Kampala and successive attacks by the ADF on communities inside Congo could have been precursor to a joint military offensive by UPDF and the Congolese army.
Developing story. Details will follow….