KAMPALA, Uganda 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army in North Kivu province said Saturday it is pleased with positive results from four months of military operations during a state of siege.

“The army has done a satisfactory job during this period in North Kivu. One hundred and fifty-two ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) rebels were neutralized and 162 arrested,” UN radio quoted operations spokesman Capt. Anthony Mwalushayi.

He said the army had reliable information that will help it in efforts to eliminate the rebels and the military seized two vehicles and 14 motorcycles.

Mwalushayi said several areas once occupied by the ADF have been freed.

“Today, we are in control of areas that were not accessible in the past. We have also arrested a senior ADF rebel leader who has served ADF for five years and is responsible for many massacres carried out by the rebels,” he said.

A security officer in North Kivu, Ambrose Muvuya, said, “So far, so good. In the near future, all ADF rebels will be either killed or arrested. We advise them to surrender before it is too late.’’

Since the late 1990s ADF rebels who fled Uganda to jungles in the DRC, have been attacking villages, killing civilians and looting property.​​​​​​​