Uganda says DR Congo endorsed attack on ADF rebels in eastern region

KAMPALA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military on Friday said the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) endorsed its attack on the rebel Allied Democratic Force (ADF) in the eastern part of the vast central African country.

Army spokesman Brig. Richard Karemire said in a statement that the leaders of the two countries have been in talks on possible ways of eliminating the ADF, a Ugandan rebel group holed up in eastern DRC.

"Recently, the DRC authorities proposed that the two countries plan and conduct limited joint operations against this growing terrorist menace in our neighborhood," Karemire said.

Karemire said this understanding led to this afternoon's attack on the ADF bases using fighter jets.

"These terrorists should know that they may only buy time, but will be targeted wherever they are," Karemire said.

The military spokesman did not give details of the casualties of the attack.

The ADF have been blamed for recent attacks in eastern DRC including the Dec. 7 killing of 15 Tanzanian UN peacekeepers in North Kivu province.

Karemire said the outfit has been recruiting, training and carrying out radicalization of women and children while working with foreign jihadists.

He said there have been increased signals of intended active hostile activities against Uganda recently, necessitating beefing up security along the border. Enditem