By Teddy Namayanja
In a daring joint operation, the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have successfully rescued 10 hostages from the clutches of the notorious Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group. The rescue mission, codenamed “Operation Shujaa,” took place on September 8 in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at River Asefu in North Kivu province.
As the joint forces closed in on the ADF hideout, a fierce firefight erupted.
“Two women were injured in the crossfire and were swiftly airlifted to Muhoti Military Barracks for specialized medical care. The five rescued children, who were found malnourished and weak, received urgent medical attention from the UPDF medical team”. Maj Bilal Katamba, the spokesperson of Operation Shujaa said.
The rescue occurred as part of the ongoing “Operation Shujaa,” a coordinated effort against the ADF, at River Asefu in North Kivu province.
Among the rescued hostages was Atukwase Katushabe Jamilah, a 32-year-old woman who had been coerced into joining the ADF in 2008. Jamilah had been forcibly married to multiple ADF commanders and had lost all hope of ever reuniting with her family. But on this day, she was finally reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rahima, who had been born in captivity.
The successful rescue operation was a significant blow to the ADF terrorist group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Central Africa Province (ISCAP), an affiliate of ISIS. The joint forces continue to pursue the remaining ADF terrorists, determined to bring an end to their reign of terror.
