UN Peacekeepers in DR of Congo Seek Hidden Rwandan Hutu Fighters
New York, Jul 7 2005 6:00PM
United Nations peacekeeping troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) launched their biggest
operation in the area today to flush out Rwandan Hutu fighters, the UN spokesman said.
Some 1,000 troops were participating in an operation code-named "Iron Fist," which complemented the South Kivu Brigade's
"Operation Falcon Sweep," Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the daily briefing.
Falcon Sweep started on Monday, aiming to extend the UN's security perimeter in the Walungu Territory, south-east of
Bukavu, and to enhance the confidence of the local population in the peacekeepers, he said.
"This is the largest operation ever organized by the Pakistani Blue Helmets of the South Kivu Brigade, supported by
Guatemalan Special Forces and Congolese troops."
The peacekeepers of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) were deploying by road, in vehicles and on foot, with the Indian
contingent's helicopters for close air support, into territories occupied by the Rwandan Hutu fighters to the north and
south-east of Bukavu in Walungu and Kabare, Mr. Dujarric said.
Meanwhile, MONUC spokesman Kemal Saiki said the mission expected to have registered 1 million voters by the end of this
week.
ENDS