adminBeni – The Congolese army on Monday took a main rebel base in the east of the country, killing 62 and capturing 118 insurgents in the fighting, an army spokesperson said.
The seizure of base, located inside Virunga National Park, is part an offensive launched last month against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) after it failed to honour a deadline to disarm.
The government forces have reported several territorial gains. The announcement on Monday could not be independently verified.
Activists urged the army to extend its operations, saying the FDLR was withdrawing to areas where it is taking revenge on civilians it accuses of siding with the government.
Donatien Mongane cited the case of the village of Kinyabwinda, which was burned to the ground. No lives were lost as the residents fled before the rebels arrived.
UN peacekeepers in Congo have declined to support the military operation because two army generals are suspected of human rights abuses. – Sapa
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter