By Richard Onapatum
- JOINT FORCES RESCUE WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM ADF TERRORISTS
- Operation Shujaa: UPDF and FARDC Successfully Rescue 10 Hostages in DRC
Kampala, Uganda – In a daring joint operation, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) rescued five women and five children from the clutches of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group in Eastern DRC.
The rescue mission, code-named “Operation Shujaa,” took place on September 8 in North Kivu province, where the joint forces confronted ADF terrorists at River Asefu. Two women were injured during the firefight and were airlifted to Muhoti Military Barracks for medical attention. The malnourished children are also receiving medical care from the UPDF medical team.
Among those rescued was 32-year-old Atukwase Katushabe Jamilah, who was lured into rebel activities in 2008 from Nabweru Division, Wakiso district. Jamilah was forcibly married to multiple ADF commanders and was reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rahima, during the rescue.
The joint forces are continuing to pursue the scattered ADF terrorists, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Central Africa Province (ISCAP), an affiliate of ISIS.
Source:Major Bilal Katamba, Public Information Officer, UPDF Mountain Division/Operation Shujaa