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 002102 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015 
TAGS: PGOV KPKO MOPS CG UG
SUBJECT: FARDC ENGAGES HEAVILY ARMED MILITIAS IN ITURI 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1998 
 
Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. 
 
¶1. (C) The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo 
(FARDC), with air and other logistical support from MONUC 
troops, launched Operation Eden December 21 against militia 
elements in the northeastern Ituri District. MONUC sources 
report operations are being directed against the Congolese 
Revolutionary Movement (MRC) and forces led by militia leader 
Peter Karim in the area of Fataki. A second offensive, 
Operation Edifice, was simultaneously launched against 
militia elements of the Patriotic Force of Resistance in 
Ituri (FRPI) near Boga, also in Ituri. MONUC officials said 
they expect fighting to last at least a couple of weeks. The 
aim of the operations is to eliminate the continuing presence 
of local militias and to kill or capture militia leaders in 
the region. (Note: The two Ituri operations are in addition 
to a separate operation against ADF/NALU currently taking 
place in North Kivu and being reported septel. End note.) 
 
¶2. (C) MONUC's head of office in Bunia said resistance from 
Karim's forces has been particularly fierce in several days 
of fighting against FARDC troops. Reports from the field 
indicate militias are using rocket launchers and other heavy 
military equipment against government forces. MONUC sources 
said Karim is fighting harder because recent FARDC operations 
against his troops have significantly weakened his ability to 
conduct illegal cross-border trade for weapons and money. 
 
¶3. (C) MONUC officials reported that FARDC troops captured 
the Karim stronghold of Nioka (about 50 miles north of Bunia) 
on December 25. FARDC and MONUC troops are now chasing 
dispersed militia elements toward the Ugandan border and have 
taken control of the territory. During the fighting at Nioka, 
the FARDC captured two of Karim's bodyguards. MONUC officials 
said they are awaiting their transfer to Bunia for 
interrogation. Karim himself, according to MONUC sources, 
reportedly fled Nioka toward the border. 
 
¶4. (C) The MRC is also believed to be receiving military 
assistance from Uganda. MONUC sources said the presence of 
heavy equipment indicated the MRC is getting arms from 
external sources. In addition, a cache of ammunition 
recovered from an MRC camp near the Ugandan border is 
reported to have a Ugandan flag on it. MONUC officials are 
awaiting further verification of the bag's origins and 
contents. The FARDC also captured a truck carrying tropical 
wood during its operations, and arrested three Ugandan 
civilians who were transporting the material. 
 
¶5. (C) In Boga, FRPI elements have posed less of a military 
challenge, according to MONUC. The FARDC, backed by 
Bangladeshi and Moroccan peacekeepers, have established total 
area domination in the area and are pursuing militia remnants 
as well. FRPI militias have reportedly fled into the forests 
to escape fighting and to regroup. 
 
¶6. (C) To date, 11 FARDC soldiers have been killed in the 
fighting -- nine in operations around Boga, one near Fataki, 
and another during operations in Nioka. MONUC officials 
cannot give precise numbers as to the number of militia 
killed, but estimate several dozens have likely died. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment: Even though Operations Eden and Edifice were 
postponed so as not to disrupt the December 18 constitutional 
referendum, the operations indicate the FARDC's continued 
desire and ability to deal with the security threat posed by 
militias in Ituri. The MRC and Peter Karim are among the last 
major threats to establishing peace in the region, and their 
capability to threaten local populations has deteriorated as 
the FARDC, backed by MONUC, has taken the fight to them. 
However, reports of more heavily armed militias is worrisome, 
as it will test the resolve of FARDC forces who have thus far 
encountered opponents who are less well-equipped. In 
addition, if reports of assistance from Uganda are proven 
true, it will undoubtedly exacerbate already tense relations 
between the GDRC and GOU. End comment. 
MEECE