UN says its troops and Congo will launch offensive on rebels
The UN peacekeeping force in Congo and the Congolese army will launch a military offensive against a rebel group that failed to surrender by a January 2 deadline set by two regional groups, the United Nations said Monday.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said both forces are preparing for the operation against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, known as the FDLR, which was formed by extremist Rwandan Hutus who took part in the 1994 genocide and then fled across the border into Congo.
He said the Congolese army and the UN mission, known as MONUSCO, have developed a joint military plan for the operation and MONUSCO has already prepositioned its troops and equipment.
