Dem. Rep. of Congo, Ugandan forces capture ADF airfield

KIGALI, Rwanda

Forces from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have retaken Boga airfield from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Congo, the army confirmed Saturday.

“The joint force used the third approach route to Burasi-Boga to capture the airfield which the rebels used as a hiding ground and where they were executing civilians,” the operation's spokesman Maj. Peter Mugisa told reporters.

Mugisa said following artillery strikes on the ADF camp in Rume on Wednesday, several rebels were wounded and are in disarray.

The joint operation to dislodge the rebels was launched in December.

Operation commander, Maj. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, said phase one of the operation devastated the ADF during which their main camp of Kambi Ya Yua was captured.

But recent attacks by rebels sent more than 1,500 refugees into Uganda.

The ADF rebel group with origins in neighboring Uganda has been attacking and killing civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for more than two decades.

The US last March placed the ADF on the list of “terrorist organizations” affiliated with the Daesh/ISIS terror group.