Burundian Troops In Eastern DR Congo, Say Local Sources
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published January 05, 2022 | 06:10 PM
Burundian troops have been sighted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to local sources on Wednesday, with one saying the troops were after Burundian rebels holed up in the area
Bukavu, DR Congo, Jan 5 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2022 ) :Burundian troops have been sighted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to local sources on Wednesday, with one saying the troops were after Burundian rebels holed up in the area.
"Burundian forces entered (the district of) Lemera on Sunday, December 19," the Lemera area's chief, Edmond Simba Muhogo, told AFP.
"They were estimated to number more than 380 troops, and they were clearly commandos. They came through the centre of Lemera... and went on to attack the Burundian rebels," he said.
Lemera lies in the territory of Uvira in South Kivu province, which borders Burundi.
The troops are currently deployed in the Congolese districts of Bijojo and Bibangwa, the chief said.
The rebel group is the RED-Tabara, a force estimated to number between 500 and 800 men that has a rear base in eastern DRC and has been accused of a string of attacks in Burundi since 2015.
Another source, Mwami Ndari Kalingishi Simba 3 Adams, who is the traditional leader in Bafuliiru, told AFP: "I confirm that Burundian troops entered the DRC." They headed "to the highlands, where the RED-Tabara are," he said, adding that he had alerted the army to this "incursion".
Willy Siremba, a representative of civil society groups in Uvira, said: "The authorities have to tell us the truth about the presence of this foreign force" on national territory.
Major Dieudonne Kasereka, the army's spokesman for South Kivu, said: "We can neither confirm nor deny whether the Burundian army is present on Congolese soil.
"We know that there are armed groups which come from foreign countries and which secretly cross the border to support other rebel groups that are in Congo." On Monday, RED-Tabara said in a tweet that it had fought the previous day with Burundian troops in Gashenyo and Kitembe in the highlands region of South Kivu province.
"At least 10 died in enemy ranks and around 20 were wounded," it said.
In September, RED-Tabara also claimed responsibility for an attack on the international airport of Bujumbura, Burundi's economic capital.
Burundian opposition figure Alexis Sinduhije told AFP in November that the group was building in strength and now had a presence in Burundi.
Another rebel group that uses the DRC as a rear base is the National Liberation Forces of Burundi.
Scores of armed groups roam eastern DRC, many of them a legacy of two wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003 that sucked in countries around the region and claimed millions of lives.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 April 2024
Fresh wave of rainfall in AJK continues for the second consecutive day
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
Attack in restive Chilean province leaves three police officers dead
PM, Saudi Royal court advisor discuss ways to boost economic ties
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
DC Bahawalnagar leads fight for fair bread prices
Sheffield Utd relegated from Premier League
02 proclaimed offenders arrested by Wah Police
Pakistan level T20I series with nine-run victory over New Zealand
Minister meets Chinese Consul General, discusses bilateral cooperation, Chinese ..
More Stories From World
-
Rare footage captures wild giant pandas mating in NW China
8 minutes ago -
Thai king approves new finance minister for cabinet reshuffle
8 minutes ago -
China's online literature users exceed 500 million
19 minutes ago -
Philippines suspends in-person school due to heat, jeepney strike
28 minutes ago -
Saudi team claims top Prize at Harvard Health Hackathon for innovative Cancer Navigation Platform
29 minutes ago -
6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes in sea off Indonesia's Java island
29 minutes ago
-
NE China port resumes passenger ferry service with ROK
38 minutes ago -
Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives in China: state media
38 minutes ago -
Iraqi Prime Minister arrives in Riyadh for World Economic Forum Special Meeting
39 minutes ago -
Mawani Strengthens Saudi Arabia’s Trade links with New Evergreen TPA Shipping Service
48 minutes ago -
2024 ZGC Forum: Global collaboration emphasized in energy transformation
1 hour ago -
China's ecological environment improves steadily in Q1
1 hour ago