The Congolese military announced that with support from UN peacekeepers, they had recaptured the Semuliki river valley where the ISCAP militants had a major camp. The operation was conducted by the MONUSCO’s rapid intervention unit which has in the past months taken an active combat role against the jihadist in the restive region.
The base destroyed has been an active launch-pad for attacks in the Beni territory and most of them were being along the Beni-Kasindi road which has experienced a lot of attacks since the allegiance pledge to ISIS by ADF.
This conquest comes just weeks after the army announced that it had destroyed enemy strongholds in the Mughalika Valley, still in Beni territory. Reports of growing corruption within the DRC military have ceaselessly undermined and threatened counterterrorism efforts against ISCAP in North Kivu and Ituri.
The Congolese provinces of North Kivu and Ituri have been placed under siege since May 6, to fight against armed groups which terrorize civilians which has been met with mixed reactions from locals. Citizens have cited that the increased military presence has not made as great an impact as advertised seeing as the troops interfere with the farming activities as well as collect taxes instead of fight militants in the forest and encampments.
However, the residents have cautiously welcomed the recent deployment id US experts and Kenyan Peacekeepers who they hope will be of better help seeing as both have expertise fighting jihadists. Especially, they are enthused by the fact that Kenyan troops have African-oriented experience and are hopeful that the troops will do what other peacekeepers have failed rapidly and permanently.
IMAGE COURTESY
