US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1903

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FIGHTING IN ITURI BREAKS UP A MILITIA CELL

Identifier: 05KINSHASA1903
Wikileaks: View 05KINSHASA1903 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Kinshasa
Created: 2005-11-17 10:25:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PGOV MARR KPKO CG
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001903 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, MARR, KPKO, CG 
SUBJECT: FIGHTING IN ITURI BREAKS UP A MILITIA CELL 
 
 
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 (b), (d). 
 
1. (C) About half of a 3,000-man strong FARDC detachment, all 
elements of the First Integrated Brigade, backed by two MONUC 
attack helicopters and with MONUC logistical assistance, 
engaged elements of the Revolutionary Congolese Movement 
(MRC) November 14-16 in the southeast corner of Orientale 
province near Lake Albert.  No MONUC soldiers were killed or 
injured in the fighting; 3 FARDC soldiers were killed and 15 
injured, and 15-20 MRC militia were killed.  (Note:  The MRC 
is a coalition of surviving elements of the UPC Bosco and 
Kakilawe militias which announced its formation several 
months ago in Kampala, and has been operating extensively in 
the southeast of Orientale province.  MONUC believes this 
group has been trafficking arms from Rwanda across Lake 
Albert. End Note.) MONUC estimates that at least 100 MRC 
militia escaped across Lake Albert by small boat, heading for 
Rwanda. 
 
2. (C)  Comment:  This operation is part of an ongoing 
FARDC/MONUC effort to break the series of MRC cells that have 
been established in this part of Orientale province.  The 
cells seem to have different but related missions; the MRC 
cell targeted by this mission, for instance, appears to have 
been mainly responsible for arms trafficking across Lake 
Albert, while other cells apparently are responsible for 
trying to make contact with NALU elements in the northern 
part of neighboring North Kivu province, and still others 
attack small villages with the apparent intent of spreading 
instability and creating significant numbers of internally 
displaced persons.  MONUC believes that this week's operation 
has, at least temporarily, broken up the MRC cell which had 
been trafficking arms. If true, this could in turn affect the 
operational capability of the remaining elements of the MRC. 
DOUGHERTY 

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