current events on armed conflicts in the US current events on armed conflicts in the USA

Hide International Committee of the Red Cross and Libyan Red Crescent staff unload food and other goods for displaced people in Swaoh, Libya. In 2002 President Museveni launched Operation Iron Fist deploying over 14,000 troops against the LRA, but instead of crushing the rebels the conflict has only escalated. They augment this by kidnapping, brutalising and brainwashing young children into fighting for them - so far they have abducted over 20,000. They have run rings around the Ugandan army even though the core of the LRA consists of only 200 fully armed fighters.

The aims of the LRA are unclear, yet it remains undefeated after 18 years of fighting. Because very few are left working their land there is a severe shortage of food and most people in the IDP camps are dependent on food aid.

The ongoing war with the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) has led many of the local population to leave their villages for the relative safety of the towns and IDP camps. A Ugandan army vehicle passes by in the background. Panos/Sven Torfinn, 2003 Boy selling dried fish in an IDP (Internally displaced peoples) camp.

Current events on armed conflicts in the US current events on armed conflicts in the USA