UN Launch Another Major Offensive In DRC - Operation Thunder Storm

allAfrica.com: UN Launches New Operation Against Rwandan Hutu Rebels

July 20, 2005


Backed by air power in a major new operation code-named "Thunder Storm," United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today launched their third offensive in just over two weeks to oust Rwandan Hutu militia who daily harass local communities, burning a rebel base camp.

The operation, involving 1,200 Pakistani quick reaction and Guatemalan special forces, with Indian air support, alongside 200 Congolese army troops, followed a deadline delivered days ago to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia at their brigade headquarters in Miranda, the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) said.

Rwandan Hutu rebels have been active in the jungles of the eastern DRC since Rwanda's 1994 genocide, in which they killed an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

MONUC launched its first in the series of raids, "Operation Falcon Sweep," on 4 July, and the second, "Iron Fist," the next day. The mission said the operations had three positive results: showing foreign fighters that UN peacekeepers can oust them from their most remote sanctuaries, exposing for all to see the FDLR/Rastas' total disorganization following MONUC operations, and uncovering FDLR camps.

MONUC has a current troop strength of over 15,000

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