“We want to put ADF and other bandits on tenterhooks, with no breathing space, always on the run, block their supply chains. They will die of hunger in the forest. Soon you will see many surrendering when the situation gets unbearable.”
Lt Col Mbayo Katuta, the FARDC Assault Brigade Commander
The UPDF and Congolese army in DRC have taken over Kambi Ya Yua, the main base of the Allied Democratic Forces [ ADF].
A statement on the UPDF Website reads explains the operation that led to the capture of the base.
Early on 24th December 2021, the UPDF mobile forces together with the FARDC assault force, finally captured the much revered ADF/ISCAP camp, Kambi Ya Yua.
Kambi Ya Yua, a stronghold of ADF/ISCAP terrorists, seating on eight acres of Virunga forest land, is estimated to have accommodated over 600 ADF/ISCAP terrorists and their families.
The camp was captured with limited enemy resistance and there was no effect on the joint forces.
The UPDF also says this was a major training camp for radicalization as they recovered various items that point to that.
This camp was a host to military training and Islamic radicalization activities as evidenced by the literature found, bomb making materials, 01 damaged Laptop computer, 129 live rounds of PK machine gun loaded in their chain, 155 live rounds of Sub machine gun ammunition, 03 solar panels and enemy strength registers
The statement continues;
The structures in the camp were well built with locally made fences; with many cleared under tree shades as seating areas, suggesting that it was likely to be a Command Post of a high ranking rebel leader.
The Ugandan army now says they are still searching the area for possible escape routes and other explosives.
“UPDF engineers are working around the clock searching for possible improvised explosives, bunkers and to acquire more clues about the terrorists.”
Lt Col Mbayo Katuta, the FARDC Assault Brigade Commander, who is commanding the ground forces in the jungles of Virunga forest said
“We want to put ADF and other bandits on tenterhooks, with no breathing space, always on the run, block their supply chains. They will die of hunger in the forest. Soon you will see many surrendering when the situation gets unbearable.”
Col James Kasule, the UPDF 111 Mountain Brigade Commander said capturing this camp is a big mile stone because the enemy was using this same camp to launch terror attacks against both Ugandans and Congolese.
The joint operations against the Allied Democratic Forces/Madinat Tawaheed Mujahideen/Islamic State in Central African province, started three weeks ago when the combined UPDF Air Force and artillery shelled Kambi Ya Yua, Tondoli, Belu1 and Belu2 which are found in North Kivu province in Virunga and Ituri impenetrable forests of Eastern DRC.
