Ugandan and Congolese troops say they rescued at least 200 civilians in a raid on an Islamist camp in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last week, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) said in a statement.
The operation targeted the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan-origin group that pledged allegiance to the self-styled “Islamic State” about a decade ago. The raid hit a camp along the Epulu River in eastern DRC and formed part of the joint “Operation Shujaa” between the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). The UPDF said the joint campaign has intensified since January and has yielded “significant gains.”
The camp was reportedly controlled by a notorious ADF commander known as Ssebagala, or “Mzee Mayor.” The military said several ADF fighters were killed and a cache of weapons and explosives was seized during the assault.
More than 200 civilians were freed, the military added, with the youngest captive a 14-year-old girl. Major General Stephen Mugerwa, the Overall Joint Commander of Operation Shujaa, told the rescued people they were not being detained and urged them to cooperate. “You are not under detention. You are the victims of abduction, and we shall ensure you are handed over to the relevant authorities so you can reunite with your families,” he said.
According to the UPDF, many freed captives described harsh conditions while held: scarce food, forced labour, punishments for disobedience, untreated illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections, and physical exhaustion. Several appeared frail upon rescue.
The offensive also struck other ADF positions, including areas along the Ituri River. The UPDF said its recent advances have prompted more captives to escape and seek out joint force locations such as Lolwa, Kyndala Kundala and Babungwe.
Uganda and DRC forces have stepped up operations against the ADF in recent months, a push that has coincided with somewhat reduced tensions farther south involving the M23 rebels and a fragile ceasefire that took effect this year. The UPDF said the sustained offensive has improved security in parts of eastern DRC, allowing displaced communities to return home, schools to reopen and cross-border trade with Uganda to resume.
Operation Shujaa was launched in November 2021 in response to ADF attacks on both sides of the Uganda–DRC border. Recognized as a terrorist group by the Ugandan and Congolese governments and the United States and subject to UN sanctions, the ADF began openly aligning with the Islamic State around 2016 after a leadership change; Islamic State central media only began formally claiming its attacks from 2019.
Edited by: Rana Taha