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are we at war(DRC) http://www.saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6043 |
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Author: | sob [ 01 Jul 2013, 19:21 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?o ... Itemid=108 The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops currently serving with the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) will become part of the new UN intervention brigade that will combat M23 rebels. Dr Sam Gulube, Secretary for Defence, said last week that the South African troops in the DRC are currently part of the Monusco deployment, but will be moved into the intervention brigade. He said that moving them from peacekeeping to peace enforcement will “change the dynamics of the DRC conflict.” “We are going to use the same number of troops in the intervention brigade,” as the SANDF has with Monusco, Gulube said. He told journalists that South Africa had since July 2012 been finalising a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations that will allow South African troops to be transferred to the intervention brigade, which for the first time in UN history has an offensive mandate, against armed groups threatening peace in the DRC. The intervention brigade will focus its main energy on combating the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC. Gulube said that SANDF officers had been sent to Brazil to train in jungle warfare ahead of the deployment to the DRC, as the SANDF would most definitely encounter jungle warfare conditions. Gulube said that the next four to six weeks will involve transferring South African troops to the brigade and assessing the requirements of those troops. “That’s where I am now. I’ve been told to use what I have,” he said, when referring to the resources and equipment the contingent would need. He noted that R6 to R8 billion rand is available in the Special Defence Account (SDA) for capitalisation expenses (excluding salaries etc.). “Enhancement of our landward forces is critical for the success we wish to achieve, especially regarding peacekeeping missions.” Last week it was reported that 1 300 soldiers from 6 SA Infantry battalion and supported by elements from Special Forces, paratroopers and engineers had flown to Goma in the eastern DRC. Department of Defence head of communications Siphiwe Dlamini said the movement “was a normal rotation of the UN’s Monusco mission in the DRC,” but neglected to mention that these same troops would be transferred to the intervention brigade. The more than 3 000 strong brigade will be commanded by Tanzanian Brigadier James Mwakibolwa, and will comprise Malawian, South African and Tanzanian troops. It is anticipated it will be fully operational by September to start execution of its offensive operations mandate. Deployment of the brigade, the first for the world body in more than 65 years of peacekeeping operations to be given an offensive mandate, was authorised by the UN in March. |
Author: | Roger the Dodger [ 02 Jul 2013, 11:09 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
A bit more info "Brig Gen James Mwakibolwa: New method of combating violence in the DR Congo" http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45031 It would be interesting to see his CV. Dean, maybe you can get it from the UN Press office? |
Author: | koffiepit [ 13 Jul 2013, 02:50 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
Seems as if things are hotting up: http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2013-07-13-sa-wys-wie-is-baas |
Author: | A Darter [ 13 Jul 2013, 11:51 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
koffiepit wrote: Seems as if things are hotting up: http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2013-07-13-sa-wys-wie-is-baas Translation PLEASE |
Author: | Phakade [ 14 Jul 2013, 12:56 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
Looks like my std 7 afrikaans isn't up to the translating. I got the basic jist I think. Glad thery're all safe. |
Author: | Balerit [ 14 Jul 2013, 16:32 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
A Darter wrote: koffiepit wrote: Seems as if things are hotting up: http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2013-07-13-sa-wys-wie-is-baas Translation PLEASE Basically some rebels tried to take 44 Para on and lost two, one being the officer commanding, with 4 wounded. The rebels were suspected to be FDLR. |
Author: | A Darter [ 16 Jul 2013, 08:20 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
SA soldiers 'in the middle' of DRC battle Fighting erupted anew in the war-torn east of the DRC on Sunday and continued yesterday after about 100 armed men disguised in women's clothing entered the country from Rwanda, said local sources. Soldiers of 6 SA Infantry Battalion have been deployed in the DRC in a United Nations "intervention brigade''. The intervention brigade consists of 2069 soldiers, of whom 850 are South African, and falls under the authority of the UN's broader 19000-strong Monusco peacekeeping mission in the Congo. Unlike the peacekeeping force, the brigade, which also has Tanzanian and Malawian contingents, has been mandated to engage any group that tries to destabilise the region. Lieutenant-Colonel Felix Prosper Basse, a spokesman for the Monusco force, said yesterday that the South Africans were ''in the middle'' of the fierce fighting around Goma, the provincial capital. "The [Monusco] operational base in Monigi has always been a South African base. It is on a hill dominating Goma," said Basse. The South African troops have been involved in two other clashes in the past week, sparked when another rebel group, the Mai Mai, attacked a nearby M23 base. "The M23 repelled the attack and the Mai Mai turned and started to shoot at civilians and the blue helmets [UN soldiers] to intimidate them. The blue helmets fired warning shots but when they kept on coming we engaged them," said Basse. One rebel was killed in the fighting and two others were wounded. On Wednesday the exact same scenario played out, ending in four rebels being wounded and a child soldier being captured. DRC government forces have been involved in heavy fighting against the M23 rebels since Sunday. Basse said "very intense firefighting" had started at about 2pm on Sunday in Motahu, about 8km north of Goma. "[Heavy calibre weapons] were used, including multiple-rocket launchers, mortars and artillery. The fighting lasted about four hours," said Basse. On Sunday night explosions were heard at Kanyaruchina village - about 100m from Monusco's position - and the civilian population fled to Goma. Basse said DRC army forces were able to hold the line but the fighting resumed early yesterday. "The latest information we have is that [the government forces are] in a good position and have pushed the M23 rebels back, but the fighting is still going on," he said last night. He could not say how many people had been killed. "Monusco reinforced our positions, including our blocking positions, with armoured personnel carriers among other things, and they have [reinforced] our foot, vehicle and aerial patrols for better protection of civilians," he said. "We will give our full support to [the government forces]." Referring to the latest clashes between [government forces] and the M23 rebels, SA Defence Ministry spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said the fighting was taking place in the areas where the South African troops are deployed. "We are not involved," he said. The South African base was formerly held by M23 rebels but was taken by Monusco after the two M23 factions started fighting each other, leaving a gap for the UN force to move in. Reports on Sunday said more than 55000 refugees from the eastern DRC had arrived in Uganda after fleeing a rebel attack. - Additional reporting by Sapa-AP, AFP http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/201 ... drc-battle |
Author: | Phakade [ 16 Jul 2013, 11:24 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
http://m.mg.co.za/index.php?view=articl ... el-clashes |
Author: | koffiepit [ 19 Jul 2013, 04:35 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
A newspaper article in Beeld (http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2013-07-19-ba ... eg-gebruik) says that one of the lessons learned at Bangui is the value of wearing protective equipment. According to the article our body armour is effective but old and so uncomfortable that soldiers tend to strip the protective plates out, leaving them exposed. It is not regulatory to wear it either but its value in saving lives is beyond dispute. |
Author: | Dean [ 19 Jul 2013, 06:39 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
A lesson learnt by the US during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 already. |
Author: | sob [ 19 Jul 2013, 13:46 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
Dean wrote: A lesson learnt by the US during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 already. Bangui is our black hawk down, Small team of elite and special forces fight a rebel force that outnumbered and out guns them, the fight takes place in a far off country than no one back homes even knows about never mind that there are soldiers there. In the heavy fighting that ensued the small elite/special forces unit suffered losses but still inflicted heavy losses on the rebels. for those not used to afrikanse http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/0 ... cre-in-car |
Author: | A Darter [ 30 Jul 2013, 23:37 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
The U.N has given M23 48hrs to leave the area around Goma. I think things are about to get heated really soon. |
Author: | Foxtrot [ 31 Jul 2013, 15:11 ] |
Post subject: | Congo - MONUSCO |
Quote: Tanzanian Special Forces take part in a Training Exercise in Sake, as part of the United Nations Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 17th July 2013 Copyright : MONUSCO : Photos: Sylvain Liechti Quote: South African Soldiers take part in a Training Exercise in Sake, as part of the United Nations Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 17th July 2013 Copyright : MONUSCO : Photos: Sylvain Liechti |
Author: | Roger the Dodger [ 31 Jul 2013, 18:56 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
Interesting to see the Tanzanians using a Galil type of rifle. Does anyone recognise the model? I thought maybe Galil ACE but the stock and other details are not a match. |
Author: | iamsam [ 31 Jul 2013, 21:30 ] |
Post subject: | Re: are we at war(DRC) |
Roger the Dodger wrote: Interesting to see the Tanzanians using a Galil type of rifle. Does anyone recognise the model? I thought maybe Galil ACE but the stock and other details are not a match. Galil MAR, 5.56mm carbine, used by the Tanzanian Army in the Congo. Also known as the micro-galil. 3 to 5 rails on the front muzzle grip and folding stock, to make it even more "micro" in tight situations. |
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