Operation South

Operation South (French: Opération Sud) (September 1965 – July 1966) was a military offensive conducted by the forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Kivu against insurgents during the Simba rebellion. It was carried out by the DR Congo's regular military, the Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC), mercenaries, and various foreign soldiers employed by Belgium and the United States. The operation aimed at destroying the remaining Simba strongholds and ending the rebellion. Though the insurgents were supported by allied Communist Cubans under Che Guevara and Rwandan exile groups, the operation resulted in the conquest of most rebel-held areas and effectively shattered the Simba insurgents.

Operation South
Part of the Simba rebellion during the Congo Crisis
Date27 September 1965 – July 1966
(c. 10 months)
Location
Eastern Congo (mainly Kivu and Katanga)
Result Democratic Republic of the Congo victory
Belligerents
Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Belgium
United States
Banyamulenge militias

Simba rebels

  • Kabila-Massengo faction
Rwandan exile groups
 Cuba
Commanders and leaders
Eustache Kakudji
Roger Hardenne
Louis Bobozo
Mike Hoare
Jordy McKay
James M. Hawes
Laurent-Désiré Kabila
Idelphonse Massengo
Che Guevara
Víctor Dreke
Units involved

Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC)

  • 5 Commando
  • 6 Commando
  • 9 Commando
  • Codoki Commando
  • 5 Infantry Battalion
  • 8 Infantry Battalion
  • 13 Infantry Battalion
  • 14 Infantry Battalion
  • Kongolo Battalion

CIA

  • "Makasi" pilots
  • Movimiento Recuperación Revolucionaria

"Armée Populaire de Libération"

  • Eastern Front
Cuban advisors
Strength
c. 2,400 Thousands of rebels
c. 123–200 Cubans
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