The Challenger tank

 The Challenger tank is a British main battle tank (MBT) that has seen several iterations since its introduction in the 1980s. The most well-known version is the Challenger 2, which entered service with the British Army in 1998. Here are some key features and characteristics:

1. **Armor**: The Challenger 2 is known for its heavy armor, providing excellent protection for its crew against various threats, including armor-piercing rounds and anti-tank missiles.

2. **Firepower**: It is equipped with a 120mm rifled gun, which is highly accurate and effective against armored targets. The Challenger 2 also features advanced fire control systems, allowing for accurate targeting even while on the move.

3. **Mobility**: Despite its weight and size, the Challenger 2 is relatively mobile, powered by a 1,200 horsepower engine. It can traverse difficult terrain and keep pace with other armored vehicles.

4. **Crew**: The Challenger 2 typically has a crew of four: commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The crew is well-protected and provided with modern ergonomic designs for comfort during long operations.

5. **Upgrades**: Over the years, the Challenger 2 has undergone upgrades to maintain its effectiveness on the battlefield. These upgrades have included improvements to its armor, firepower, and electronics systems.

6. **Service**: The Challenger 2 has seen service in various conflicts, including the Gulf War, Iraq War, and others. Its performance in combat has generally been regarded as very effective.

7. **Future**: As of my last update in Januar

y 2022, there were discussions about potential upgrades or replacements for the Challenger 2 to ensure it remains relevant in modern warfare. However, specific plans may vary based on military priorities and budget allocations.

Overall, the Challenger tank series, particularly the Challenger 2, remains an important asset for the British Army and other militaries around the world.

The meeting of Congolese and Rwandan intelligence experts ended this Thursday in Luanda. The delegates were in the Angolan capital to discuss the security and peace situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The meeting began with a speech by Ambassador Téte António, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Angola, who stressed the importance of this meeting aimed at analyzing the Harmonization Plan for the Neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and developing a plan for the disengagement of the forces in conflict.

This meeting follows the second session of the Ministerial Meeting held on 30 July 2024 in Luanda, where a ceasefire was decided to enter into force on 4 August at midnight local time. In his address, Minister Téte António commended the delegations present and their respective governments for their determination to relaunch the dialogue with a view to finding a consensual and peaceful solution to the persistent challenges in the eastern region of the DRC, for the benefit of their communities and the Great Lakes region in general.

The intelligence experts present in Luanda are tasked with implementing the decisions taken at the Ministerial Meeting, including the neutralization of the FDLR and the disengagement of the armed forces in conflict. This meeting is taking place in a tense context, marked by the violation of the ceasefire by M23 fighters, who recently took control of the customs city of Ishasha, claiming not to recognize the ceasefire in force.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the FDLR neutralization plan proposed by the Mediator and to reach an agreement on a harmonized plan. The experts have until August 15, 2024 to submit their recommendations to the next Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for later this month.

The outcome of this meeting is crucial for peace efforts in the Great Lakes region, where armed conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to cause considerable suffering. The success of this initiative is essential to progress towards a lasting and peaceful solution, in a context of heightened tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, marked by mutual accusations of support for armed groups and territorial disputes.

Three militia men from zaire armed group arrested on suspicion of trying to create a link with M23

Suspected of establishing links with the M23-RDF rebels, three Zaire militiamen arrested suspected of establishing links with the M23-RDF rebels, three militiamen from the armed group "Zaire" were arrested. They are accused by the courts of having participated in the attacks against the positions of the naval force on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Kasenyu and Tchomia, in the province of Ituri.

These arrests are the results of an investigation conducted by the Higher Prosecutor's Office at the Ituri Military Court after these attacks. Armed youths carried out two simultaneous attacks on Wednesday in Tchomia and Kasenyi against FARDC positions. They are being prosecuted for war crimes, murder and participation in an insurrectional movement. According to judicial sources, these rebels aimed to stock up on weapons and ammunition. A judicial investigation has been opened against other militiamen including their leader who has already proclaimed himself General Mandro and Arali as well as Seta Malyamungu.

Attacks against the positions of the naval force in Kasenyi and Tchomia were recorded last Wednesday, July 31 in these towns.

Corneille Nanga Sentenced to death in absentia.

Coordinator of the Congo River allience corneille Nangaa has just been sentenced to death for treason and participation in an insurrectional movement this Thursday, August 8 by the military court of Kinshasa_Gombe . The court orders his immediate arrest and the confiscation of his property.Others on this sentence are Jean Jacque mamba,Willy Ngoma ,Bertrand Bisimwa..etc

FARDC soldiers deployed in Goma should present them selves to the local administration for identification to curb the growing insecurity in the Town

According to the Spokesperson of the FARDC in North Kivu, Lt Colonel Ndjike  , Major General Alengbia Nzambe, commander of the 34th military region of the Fardc , recommends that soldiers and police officers living in the city of Goma, seconded or located there for any particular reason, should present themselves with their weapons to the heads of the Neighborhoods for identification. This measure aims to curb the growing insecurity in the city of Goma where less than 48 hours can go by without looting or killings by unidentified men carrying weapons.

UN security council resolution 2746okays MONUSCO to support FARDC

 The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2746 on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, authorizing the Monusco support for the Mission of the SADC in the DRC by strengthening coordination, information exchange and technical assistance and logistics.

M23 captures Nyakakoma on shores of lake Edward

 

 

 Yesterday,an OSINT and HUMINT report about 12 vehicles including jeeps and Kamaz filled with elements of M23_RDF including officers  just finished a meeting at the Equator hotel in Ishasha to design a  detailed studying how the m23 establish themselves in the captured area and annexing of more territory.

It after thorough resolutions that the lions of Sarambe planned for the assault on. Nyakakoma.M23 rebels continue to gain ground in the

Rutshuru territory, despite the entry into force, since Sunday, August 4, of the ceasefire measure decreed by Luanda, which is mediating in the crisis shaking the East of the DRC. This Wednesday, the rebels took control of Nyakakoma, a fishing enclave located on the east coast of Lake Edward, respectively 48 km and 28 km from Nyamilima de Ishasha, two other strategic entities of the Bwisha chiefdom, already under the control of the M23. 

"The M23 elements arrived in Nyakakoma around 9:15 a.m. They entered without a single shot. It was the elements of the naval force and the Wazalendo who were firing bullets, perhaps to scare each other off. A bomb fell on a home without causing any casualties. However, a young man was hit by a stray bullet in the Kabila neighborhood and he was taken to hospital," a resident of Nyakakoma said.

The crackle of bullets this Wednesday when the M23 rebels arrived in Nyakakoma caused the displacement of several inhabitants of this lakeside town who headed towards the other side of the lake.

“Several residents are moving and crossing the lake using canoes. They are heading towards Talyha, Kamandi, Mubana, Kiserera, Lunyasenge. Some residents prefer to stay in the city. The Wazalendo have headed towards the park while the elements of the naval force have crossed the lake. We who remain in the city are afraid, we do not know where the solution will come from. We prefer to stay there only,” adds our source.

The Wazalendo militiamen who cohabited with the soldiers of the naval force in Nyakakoma have for the most part headed towards Chondo, Kamuororo, Mulimatsanga, villages in the heart of Virunga Park.

The president of the Lake Edward fishermen's federation, Josué Mukura, for his part, expressed fear about fishing activities which are disrupted following the armed clashes. 

"The situation in Nyakakoma was critical this morning. The M23 rebels who came to attack the Wazalendo who were still in Nyakakoma. And there, it is reported that a young boy of about ten years old was injured by a bullet. For the time being, the Wazalendo, some police officers and the elements of the naval force who were still there have headed for the park. It is worrying because the long-awaited ceasefire is not being respected. We are really in total difficulty" told us, a citizen activist from the Binza group who also requested anonymity. 

 For the time being, the Wazalendo, some police officers and the elements of the naval force who were still there have headed for the park. It is worrying because the long-awaited ceasefire is not being respected. We are really in the shit. That is why we keep asking the government to get involved in this issue because we are really in total difficulty" said the citizen activist from the Binza group who also requested anonymity. 

Human rights defenders and other local civil society actors are calling on the Congolese government to tackle these advances by the M23 rebels in the Rutshuru territory. 

The foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda met last week in Luanda around the mediator who is the Angolan president, João Lourenço for peace discussions. A ceasefire was declared on the ground between the Congolese army and the M23. The ceasefire came into effect this Sunday, August 4, 2024 at midnight and will be supervised by the Ad-Hoc Verification Mechanism reinforced by intelligence experts from the three countries and other entities, is the result of the relaunch of the Luanda process, which Kinshasa considers as a privileged mechanism for a return to lasting peace. 

In an interview given Tuesday to Top Congo Fm from Brussels where he is observing a moment of convalescence, after having undergone treatment for a slipped disc, Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi affirmed that it was rather Rwanda that requested the observance of a ceasefire on the combat lines. He reiterated that no negotiation is envisaged with the M23 rebels. 

US announces $424 million in additional aid for DRC

 

AUSSOM replaces ATMIS which replaced AMISOM in 2022.

 BREAKING: The new AU-led mission to operate in Somalia from Jan 2025 will be 

known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM); Strategic Concept of Operations has been adopted; Egypt and Djibouti offered to “contribute to the elements of the AUSSOM.”

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Five Explosions heard in the Isfahan Province of Central Iran.

 

Five Explosions heard in the Isfahan Province of Central Iran.