Joint African military force rescues 200 teens from militants

Several militants were killed during a joint military raid in eastern DR Congo, army officials have said

Ugandan and Congolese troops have rescued more than 200 teenagers from captivity after raiding a camp run by the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the authorities said on Sunday.

The abductees were freed last week during an offensive along the River Epulu, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) said in a press release.

Several militants were killed and weapons seized during the joint operation at the camp, which the army said was under the control of “notorious” ADF commander Ssebagala, also known as Mzee Mayor.

“Among those rescued was a 14-year-old girl, the youngest, while the oldest was a 19-year-old boy. Many recounted harsh conditions in captivity, including lack of food, forced labor, and punishment for disobedience,” the UPDF said.

The army added that several were in poor condition and appeared to be suffering from untreated illnesses, including malaria, respiratory infections, and physical exhaustion.

READ MORE: Islamic State-linked militants kill dozens in DR Congo assault

The ADF, originally a Ugandan Islamist group, has waged a violent insurgency in conflict-torn eastern Congo for decades and pledged allegiance to IS in 2019. It has since become one of the deadliest armed groups operating in the region, and its fighters have been blamed for massacres, kidnappings, and bombings.

Ugandan and Congolese forces launched Operation Shujaa in late 2021 to counter the ADF threat after a wave of deadly bombings and cross-border attacks, but the group has continued to stage deadly raids.

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Earlier this month, the Congolese army said at least 43 people were killed and 44 houses torched in an ADF attack on the locality of Bafwakowa in Ituri province. The same armed group raided the village of Apakulu, also in Ituri, in January, burning down a house with 15 men trapped inside, executing seven others along a road, and killing three more people in nearby communities. In June 2023, the terrorist group crossed into Uganda, looted Lhubiriha Secondary School, and set fire to its dormitories, killing at least 25 children.

The Ugandan army, however, said joint operations have intensified since January, “leading to significant gains.”