Battle of Nyabari

Battle of Nyabari
Part of Eastern Lyoa Conflict
LNDF soldiers during the battle.
Date December 26, 2019-present (4 years, 11 months, 3 weeks and 5 days) Location Nyabari, Kazima, Lyoa Status Ongoing Rebel forces control half of the city Hundreds of civilians flee LNDF bombard rebel positions
Belligerents
Lyoa	National Coalition of Lyoan Opposition Forces Lyoan Revolutionary Movement
Commanders and leaders
Kemoh Foday (President of Lyoa) Lt. Col. Jackson Itubuana (Overall Commander in Nyabari) Cpt. Joseph Uktaru (LNDF Garrison Commander)	Gen. August Yakata (Chairman of the NCLOF) Col. David Ngataba (1st Overall Ground Commander, UFD Third Formation Commander) Maj. Cyprien Nakuta (2nd Overall Ground Commander, NRF Alikah Platoon Commander) Col. Jacob Ntiba (LRM Commander)
Units involved
Lyoa National Defense Force Lyoa National Army Elements of the 9th and 14th Infantry Divisions. Lyoa National Air Force Lyoa National Police Force Nyabari Police Department	Union for Democracy Third Formation National Renewal Forces Alikah Platoon 19th of March Platoon Resistance and Unity Front 1st Legion
Strength
500+ soldiers 50+ police	700+ fighters
Casualties and losses
52 killed	NCLOF: 44 killed LRM: 12 killed
65+ civilians killed Several thousand displaced

The Battle of Nyabari is an ongoing battle in the city of Nyabari between elements of the National Coalition of Lyoan Opposition Forces and the government of Lyoa and its Lyoa National Defense Force. The battle began on December 26, 2019 after NCLOF elements entered the city with the intentions of capturing it.

The battle has resulted in a large scale fleeing of civilians from the city, and some damage to structures. So far, clashes have been limited to the southern outskirts of the city, as this is where rebel forces have established themselves. Parts of the Nyabari Police Department are also involved in the clashes, assisting the local LNDF garrison in fighting against rebel forces. Reports state that three NCLOF groups are involved, the Union for Democracy, the National Renewal Forces, and the Resistance and Unity Front.

Background

The NCLOF was founded in 2017 as a merger of 12 different armed groups with similar goals intending to overthrow Lyoa's government. It came to be one of the more powerful groups participating in the Lyoan Armed Conflict. The threat of the group has largely been ignored by the Lyoan government, despite regularly clashing with the group. This has been a strategy of the Lyoan government to ensure confidence in its leadership, as correctly assessing the threat of armed groups would show weak leadership. This caused the NCLOF to be able to grow to be the largest armed group in Lyoa.

On the night of December 25th, it was reported that NCLOF elements were moving towards Nyabari by local sources. This alarmed some locals, who believed that a battle would take place. This came true, as the following morning, the NCLOF entered the city.

Timeline

December

The attack began on December 26th, when NCLOF forces entered the southern outskirts of the city. The rebels were able to quickly gain control of the southern outskirts and continued to engage the surprised LNDF. Several hundred civilians fled the city, and the LNDF began to mobilize armored vehicles to counter the rebels, who had brought technicals. Heavy clashes occurred on the 27th, as the NCLOF had attempted to advance on the eastern part of the city. In response, the LNDF began to fire mortars and rebel positions, resulting in some civilian casualties. On December 29th, the First Legion of the Resistance and Unity Front arrived in the city to reinforce the NCLOF forces already there. The NCLOF also revealed that David Ngataba and Cyprien Nakuta were in command of the operation. The NCLOF also attempted an advance in the west that day, resulting in heavy fighting there. The NCLOF successfully advanced on December 31st, capturing many LNDF positions in the east of the city, including several hotels and a police station. In response, the LNDF sent 100 additional troops to reinforce the city.

January

No major advances occurred through New Years', although some gun battles still occurred. On January 5th, rebels occupied several city blocks after periods of intense fighting. The same day, Lt. Col. Jackson Itubuana took command of all LNDF forces in and around Nyabari. Civilians began reporting the presence of Lyoan Revolutionary Movement elements near the city on January 9th. On the 11th, the LRM confirmed that it had sent around 200 troops to support the NCLOF in their attempts to take the city, confirming the alliance between the two groups. On January 12th, the LNDF moved an additional 100 troops into the city. Clashes that day killed 3. Between January 13 and 14, heavy clashes occurred in the city as rebels advanced towards the town center. The LNDF retreated and rebels captured the city hall.