Headlines

A thorough look from 1995 up to the present

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) was created in 1995 and initially operated in the mountainous border region between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. According to the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (“GoE”) 2013 final report, citing Ugandan officials and UN sources, in 2013 the ADF had an estimated strength of 1,200 to 1,500 armed fighters located in north-east Beni Territory of North Kivu province, close to the border with Uganda. These same sources estimate ADF’s total membership —including women and children— to be between 1,600 and 2,500. These numbers have considerably increased in recent years.

While the ADF’s ideology has historically contained some Salafi-jihadist elements, it has also recruited along secular ethnic lines and is deeply entrenched in the broader political and economic dynamics of the Rwenzori border region between Uganda and the DRC. In 2019, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an ADF attack and first referenced a “Central Africa Province” under their control. These developments raise questions about the extent of the relationship between the ADF and the Islamic State. The ADF’s proven adaptability and resiliency likely signify a continued and potentially increasing threat to civilians, security forces, and UN peacekeepers.

The ADF has released increasing amounts of propaganda that reflects ideological alignment with the Islamic State. This includes an increased focus on efforts to kill Christian and other non-Muslim civilians. Additionally, the Islamic State’s propaganda apparatus has released multiple videos showing life inside ADF camps, including celebrations of Eid al-Adha. Within ADF camps, the organization enforces its own interpretation of sharia law and also runs an Islamic banking system into which members are obligated to deposit their money. 

The ADF has recruited and used child soldiers in violation of applicable international law.

Washington DC, June 20 (DPnet).– The Supreme Court has already ruled on some highly controversial cases so far this year. Among them, transgender rights suffered a setback on Wednesday when it released its opinion on this one among the most contentious issues in the nation. In a 6-3 ruling, the justices upheld a Tennessee law that restricts gender-affirming care for minors. There are currently 27 states that have enacted similar laws to restrict gender-transition

This term, the high court has also rendered decisions in other major, high-profile cases: it blocked a contract for the country's first religious charter school in Oklahoma; it upheld a Biden administration rule governing ghost guns; it permitted a lawsuit to proceed from an Ohio woman who claims she was discriminated against for being straight; and it stopped Mexico's multibillion-dollar lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers.

The USS Nimitz will join the USS Carl Vinson in the Persian Gulf

Washington DC, June 16.– The Nimitz strike group was previously scheduled to replace the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, which has been deployed for several months, but is now heading to the Middle East ahead of schedule. The two will now be in the Middle East simultaneously. 

USS Carl Vinson was the only aircraft carrier in the region as of last Friday, U.S. defense officials told Fox News. 

Tehran, June 14.– Iran struck Israel with barrages of missiles on Saturday, a day after a massive onslaught against its nuclear and military facilities killed top generals and nuclear scientists.

Israeli emergency services said two people were killed when a rocket hit a residential area early Saturday, as the two sides traded fire for a second day despite international calls for de-escalation.

Iran called on its citizens to unite in defence of the country as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to rise up against their government.

Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel through the night, with many residents holed up in bomb shelters until home defence commanders stood down alerts.