Uganda, Congo Launch Strikes on Islamic State-Linked Group
Uganda Launches Strikes on Islamic State-Linked Group in Congo
(Bloomberg) -- Uganda launched a military campaign against militants linked to Islamic State operating from a base in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The East African nation’s government blamed the Allied Democratic Forces for terror attacks over the past five months, including two bombings in the capital, Kampala, on Nov. 16. that left at least seven people dead.
“We have launched joint air and artillery strikes against ADF camps with our Congolese allies,” Ugandan army spokeswoman Flavia Byekwaso said on Twitter.
Islamic State, through its self-proclaimed Central Africa Province, has claimed responsibility for attacks in Uganda. The group’s leader, Musa Muhsin Baluku, said in September 2020 the ADF was disbanded and is now a province of IS, according to a study published this month by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College in London.
Congolese government spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, confirmed Tuesday’s strikes.
“Targeted and concerted actions with the Ugandan army were launched today with airstrikes and artillery fire from Uganda on ADF terrorist positions in the DRC,” Muyaya said on Twitter.
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