At least 20 ADF rebels were killed in joint FARDC-UPDF operations in one week in the Lolwa forest, Mambasa territory (Ituri).

The FARDC spokesman in Ituri, Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, put forward these figures on Wednesday, July 31, on media outlets.

This military officer also indicated that 5 soldiers were killed on the spot and two others have been wounded since the beginning of these operations.

After an exchange of fire, the army regained control of the village of Chipemuche where these rebels abandoned a significant quantity of ammunition.

According to local sources, these clashes have caused a movement of populations towards Mungamba and the center of the chiefdom of Babila Bakwanza.

Military measures were reinforced to contain this rebel movement.

The same sources report that these assailants fled to Lolwa in the direction of Mambasa and to several localities on the national road number 4 to commit abuses against the population.

Security sources in the area, who cite the survivors, indicate that these militiamen are trying to take the direction that leads to the perimeters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.

The army says it has reinforced its positions to prevent their reorganisation.