the rebels, to their own surprise, captured the town. 27 September After progressing through the towns of Swima and Makobola, CNPSC forces reached the hills about 5 km away from Uvira town. The rebels advanced towards the town and fighting began at around 5 am local time. FARDC forces defending the city were quickly overran by the rebels, who captured parts of the city and took its port. Eventually, the initial incursion was repelled by joint FARDC-MONUSCO forces. 28 September A second attack was launched on Uvira the next day, mainly led by CNPSC naval forces. Land forces attacked at 5 am, alongside four boats of the CNPSC's naval wing. MONUSCO helicopters attacked the boats, destroying several, ending the second attack. The same day, CNPSC forces clashed with the FARDC in Kasongo. October 3 October After heavy fighting, newly arrived FARDC reinforcements pushed CNPSC forces around 35 km from Uvira, and recaptured Mboko from the militia. In a Twitter statement, the CNPSC claimed they had withdrawn from Mboko voluntarily, "to prioritize peace". 11 October The village of Mukera was recaptured by FARDC forces after a series of skirmishes with CNPSC troops. CNPSC spokesman Dalton Waubwela Mwila claimed that a FARDC soldier was captured in the fighting. November 19 November CNPSC forces attacked the town of Kilembwe, in Fizi Territory. Forces of the Malaika and Yakutumba groups attacked the city and killed one FARDC soldier before the rest of the garrison pulled out. According to the FARDC, the withdrawal was to "avoid the bloodbath". 28 November The FARDC recaptured Kilembwe from CNPSC forces. It was reported that the FARDC encountered no resistance when capturing the town. December 23 December Militiamen of the CNPSC shot and killed a FARDC soldier in the village of Kikwena. 26 December General Philemon Yav was selected to become the commander of the Sukola II operation, and would lead military operations against the CNPSC. This date is generally accepted as when the offensive ended, as a large-scale FARDC counter-offensive launched by Yav would begin in the following weeks. Aftermath Following Philemon Yav's appointment as overall commander of Sukola II, the FARDC began a major offensive against the CNPSC rebels which was intended to destroy the group. Heavy losses were inflicted against the group, mainly against Yakutumba's Mai-Mai militia, and the group was falsely labeled as "annihilated" by the army. In late 2018, another CNPSC offensive would be