M23 and wazalendo Clashed in Munyaruguru

 

According to reports and intelligence source ,there were Clashes between the M23 and young self-defense people this Monday in the Masisi , affirms local civil society which speaks that these young people called "Patriots" managed to stop an M23 attack who wanted to capture  Munyaruguru . The same source affirms that several M23 rebel elements were neutralized during these clashes. “The area is now under the total control of the resistance,” adds my confidant source. Meanwhile, in Nyiragongo and Rutshuru an uneasy calm reigns after the expiration of Kinshasa's ultimatum to the M23s last week.one of the PKM weapons and several military wares recovered from th the rebels of M23 by the resistance fighters during the clashes this Monday Morning in the Territory of Masisi, at Munyaruguru.According to local sources, the rebels of M23 were pushed back after a heavy toll inflicted on them by the self-defense resistance fighters. On the other hand, a precarious calm is observed at Bunagana , up to Rutshuru center which has now become the headquarters of the rebels of M23 .

A back and forth movement is also observed in the area. The new M23 recruits have been subjected to warm-up exercises from Pena to Kiwanja via Rutshuru center since the start of last week.

The area has been under the control of resistance fighters since 1:45 p.m.

A new armed group from Nyiragongo to pattern in fight against M23

 A new armed group

composed mainly of young people from the territory of Nyiragongo less than 10km north of the town of Goma . They declared on Saturday that they were ready to defend the country against aggression rwandaise starting with Kibumba .

Official release this Saturday,UFPC (union of patriotic forces of Congo), a new armed group supported by civil society, is composed mainly of young people from the territory of Nyiragongo near Goma said to side with the FARDC to put an end to Rwandan aggression on Congolese soil. "We are a group of young people from Nyiragongo motivated by the sense of patriotism, aroused by the repeated wars to which our country is a victim, which wars are orchestrated by our neighboring countries in this case on Rwanda . has passed before our eyes, killings, assassinations of our compatriots and cruel and terrifying insecurity perpetrated by the army of rwanda with the auxiliaries of M23 . Given that the superior interest of the nation remains a primacy for the entire nation and particularly the territory of Nyiragongo , the young people of this entity did not remain indifferent to the abuses of this rebel movement exploited and acting on behalf of Rwanda . Hence we young people want to participate in this battle to boost off

state of harm this rebellion "said MUHABURA Nicolas spokesperson for

movement.

Will M23 be forced out of bunagana soon?

 In joint meeting of M23 -EAC at the gates of Goma the M23 said;"We join our population to send a message to President congolais Félix Tshisekedi . If he sends his planes here,with bombs, he will kill civilians of DRC  the M23 says it is ready and is still waiting for the response from Kinshasa to dialogue with the Congolese government  for Peace . "dialogue is a state of affairs in a democratic culture, refusing it we fall into ukases which, moreover, risks plunging the Republic into the abyss. We are quick to dialogue and also quick to ignite" Willy Ngoma, spokesperson of M23 .

M23 say it is ready and is still waiting for the response from Kinshasa to dialogue with the Congolese government for Peace "dialogue is a state of affairs in a democratic culture, refusing it we fall into chaos  which, moreover, risks plunging the Republic into the abyss. We are quick to dialogue and also quick to ignite" Willy Ngoma of M23 said . On top Congo fm, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, declared; “From September 24, 2023 if M23 does not leave Bunagana , it will be forced to do so by force. We will do everything and we are ready”

Kenya Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team (JWMTT ) start training in DRC's jungles.

 

In a groundbreaking collaboration between Kenya Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team (JWMTT), both serving under MONUSCO, have initiated a rigorous three-week jungle warfare training course in the heart of Beni, Eastern DRC.

Visit to the front line by the Military Governor

 

Major General Chirimwami Peter this Wednesday 20/9/2023 on the Sake-Kalengeera axis and the Goma-Kibumba axis. The FARDC commander indicated that the army will continue to respect the ceasefire as recommended by the Heads of State of EAC .

A military helicopter crashed near the border with Somalia, resulting in the loss of at least eight lives

The crash occurred in Lamu County, situated along the coastal region of Kenya. The cause of the crash remains unclear at this early stage of investigation.

Kenyan defense forces operate in the area to combat the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group, which is based across the border in Somalia.

The Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that the Air Force helicopter crashed during a night patrol mission. In response to the tragic event, a Board of Inquiry has been promptly constituted and dispatched to the crash site to ascertain the underlying cause of the incident, as stated in an official statement.Sources within the security apparatus, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, disclosed to The Associated Press that all military personnel and crew members aboard the helicopter lost their lives in the crash. However, the DoD, while expressing condolences to the families of the crew, did not disclose the exact number of casualties.

Kenyan troops have been actively involved in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission, aimed at combating al-Shabab. The deployment of Kenyan forces to Somalia dates back to 2011; however, plans are now underway to withdraw multinational forces as Somali troops gradually assume responsibility for their country’s security.

Al-Shabab, the group operating in Somalia, has intensified its attacks in Kenya in recent months. The border region has witnessed numerous casualties as a result of these attacks, as the rebels face mounting pressure from a military offensive launched by Somali forces last year, subsequent to the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in May.

The UK Government has announced an additional £5 million in funding for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund, aimed at bolstering support for Somalia’s Security Forces.

 

The funding was unveiled during a recent meeting between Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, and the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, during her visit to Somalia last week.

This new funding further strengthens the UK’s substantial contributions to the UNSOS Trust Fund, which provides non-lethal logistical support to the Somalia Security Forces (SSF).

The support includes provisions such as food, shelter, and lifesaving medevac assistance. The UK’s financial commitment will not only aid ongoing operations against the al-Shabaab group but also assist the Somalia Security Forces in building their capacity as they assume greater responsibility for maintaining security within the country.Dame Sarah MacIntosh, the Deputy National Security Adviser, emphasized the importance of the UK and Somalia’s security partnership in bringing stability and security to Somalia and the wider region.

She reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Somalia-led efforts in combating terrorism and restoring stability in areas recaptured from extremist control.

The collaboration between the UK and Somalia encompasses various sectors, including security, economic development, and humanitarian aid, with the shared goal of fostering a more stable and secure Somalia.

Significant progress has been made in Somalia over the past decade, but the international community must continue to provide steadfast support for the country’s pursuit of a sustainable, affordable, and accountable security sector. The transition from externally provided security assistance to Somali-led security forces remains a collective objective.

The UK’s bilateral support to Somalia in the fight against al-Shabaab is comprehensive. The UK is a partner of both the Somali Security Forces and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia through the UNSOS Trust Fund.

Since 2022, the UK has committed over £10 million in support of the Somali Security Forces via the UNSOS Trust Fund.

Additionally, the UK has provided bilateral voluntary contributions amounting to over £47 million since 2022 for military stipends to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), further demonstrating its commitment to Somalia’s security and stability.

The collaboration between the two nations across various sectors is instrumental in advancing security, economic prosperity, and development, ultimately contributing to a more stable and secure Somalia.

Satellite imagery of ATMIS vacated Military FOBs in the middle Shabelle

 Burundian ATMIS contingents withdrew in the following FOBs .

Adele

Xaji ali

Ceel-baraf

Miir-taqwo

Warshiiq

Biyo-cade

This means ATMIS left the whole area of Eastern Middle Shabeelle.

Satellite imagery of ATMIS vacated Military FOBs in the middle Shabelle.

Amara town liberated from Alshabaab

 Good news: News from the confidants on the battle ground reveal that Somali army forces have seized Amara town,Galgaduud region from Al Shabab militants on this Monday afternoon.

Alshaabab releases an official statement and video claiming it attacked the Ethiopian army in somalia,Ethiopia brandishes the claim "baseless".

 Alshabaab claimed they totally destroyed a convoy of  ENDF army travelling from Western somali region to Wajid city of Bakol region. The attacked ENDF army was in a temporary night 🌙  camp in side enemy territories after a long match of yesterday.

AlShabaab released 120+ photos of yesterday's deadly ambush on Ethiopian military convoy near Rabdhure town, Bakol region.Photographic evidence shows Ethiopian Military suffered one of its most significant loss yesterday in Somalia.A Captured ENDF soldier,  BTR IVF, Mounted gunships Ural truck, & too many dead soldiers in an open field are indicators the ENDF Battalion were poor campers/greenhorns.This published aftermath of yesterday ambush against #ENDF forces outskirts of Rabdhure as showing in the pictures what happened outskirts of #Rabdhure was massacre not ambush or assault.

However,the Ethiopian government has rejected claims made by the al-Shabab group, stating that it killed 167 Ethiopian troops in an ambush attack in Somalia's southwestern Bakool region early on Sunday.

Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia, Mukhtar Mohamed Waare, who spoke to the local media on Saturday, described the group's claim as false and baseless.

"They can try to attack the Ethiopian army, but they cannot engage in a fight with the Ethiopian defence forces for even 10 minutes. This army is highly professional, well-equipped, and organized. Whenever they confront the enemy, they deliver a decisive blow. Therefore, this is nothing more than propaganda against Ethiopia and the Ethiopian defence forces," Ambassador Waare said.

The ambassador also refuted reports suggesting that the Ethiopian troops attacked in Bakool were not part of the ATMIS mission and had entered Somalia illegally.

"We are in Somalia with the approval of the African Union and the international community, aiming to support the legitimate government of Somalia and its efforts to bring peace to this country. So, these claims by al-Shabab are nothing but propaganda," Ambassador Mukhtar emphasized.

The ambush targeted two convoys, one travelling from the Somali town of Yeed to Wajid and the second convoy as it travelled from El Barde to Huddur. Ethiopian troops have bases in Wajid and Huddur. A Somali official said local forces were accompanying the convoy en route to Huddur from El Barde.

The mayor of Huddur, Omar Abdullahi Mohamud, said that heavy fighting erupted in the area between Ethiopian troops and the militants, resulting in the deaths of 50 militants. However, in a statement, the group claimed it killed 167 Ethiopian soldiers, destroyed military vehicles, and seized a cache of weapons and ammunitions

Despite all the claims from both alshabaab and the Ethiopian Gorvenment,the security chiefs must be aware that this thing of publishing photos and videos is well calculated strategy by the terrorists.The current counter insurgency operations in the Horn require recalibration.Al-Qāeda affiliate al-Shabāab al-Mujāhidīn surge is now a threat to regional security & stability.Heavy losses of militarily hardware, troops is abnormal  and indirectly a way of arming terrorists.

A regional meeting  for the security chiefs must be called to address this terror (propaganda and psychological take) very fast otherwise we may see a massive flow of vulnerable youth into the ranks of Alshabaab.