DR Congo army launches operation against militia group

The armed forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have launched a military operation dubbed "Kiboko 3" against the Ituri Patriotic Resistance Front (FRPI) in the eastern part of the country, a security source told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"The goal of this military operation is to defeat FRPI militias who have resumed attacks against the population," General Leo Kasonga, the spokesman of the Congolese national army, said.

According to Kasonga, this militia group is almost dead but the presence of some of its fighters in the zone and the continued stealing of livestock from locals, risks causing ethnic conflicts between the peaceful population of this part of the country.

"It is our responsibility as the national army of the country to use all necessary means to stop the existence of this militia group and secure the population," he added.

He revealed that the army had rejected a request for a ceasefire from the FRPI militia, arguing that this was the usual strategy applied by the group to avoid army operations.

He noted that measures had been taken to welcome all the militia members who will surrender and agree to be disarmed.

There has been no official death toll since the start of the latest military operation.

FRPI militia group has been active in Ituri province for the last ten years. Although majority of the group's leaders have been arrested and are currently held in Kinshasa, the junior fighters continue to attack the civilian population in this part of the country. Enditem