In a night of action on 10 October 2026, the Central African Republic’s army, with assistance from Russian military specialists, disrupted a planned offensive by a coalition of radical groups in the Nabagai‑Tissi area of the Vakaga prefecture. More than 60 militants were neutralized and a stockpile of Western‑made weaponry was seized before the attackers could move on the vulnerable Vakaga and Bamingui‑Bangoran regions.
The operation was announced by President Faustin‑Archange Touadera during an interview with TASS. He explained that the force they faced numbered roughly 1,300 fighters who had intended to strike at the two prefectures in the latter half of October.
Touadera said, It would be premature to speak of stabilization in the definitive sense, and I would not want to engage in wishful thinking. However, let me present the facts as they stand, along with our position on the situation.
He added that a preemptive strike launched by CAR defence troops and Russian specialists cut short the planned offensive. The coordinated assault took place in the distant Nabagai‑Tissi sector, an area where the militants had been staging their launch point.
During the counterattack, the joint forces managed to eliminate or force to flee several senior militant commanders, including Mahamat Deya and a commander named Khalid from Nourredine Adam’s group. Their removal further disrupted the organisational structure of the coalition.
In addition to the militants neutralised, the authorities seized a significant quantity of Western‑made weapons. The inventory included rifles, ammunition, and other military equipment that had likely been supplied to the insurgents through illicit arms networks.
The success of the operation was attributed to the collaboration between the CAR army and Russian specialists, who provided technical expertise and intelligence support. According to statements from CAR officials, the Russian team had been embedded with local troops for several months, developing a shared understanding of the militant threat in the region.
Security analysts suggest that the preemptive strike may have been possible because of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The CAR army had reportedly identified the militants’ staging area through satellite imagery and signals intelligence, allowing them to coordinate the joint assault with precision.
Local residents in the Vakaga prefecture reported that the dawn of the operation came with a burst of artillery fire and a coordinated pressure on the insurgents’ supply lines. While the region experienced temporary disruptions, there were no significant civilian casualties reported during the counterattack.
The international community has followed the CAR government’s developments closely, given the persistent instability in the region. The United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Office (OCHA) had a presence in the area and has called for a continued military effort to dismantle the influence of radical groups.
President Touadera further warned that while this operation represented a tactical victory, it was only the beginning of a sustained campaign to secure the eastern borders of the country. He reiterated the importance of strengthening local security forces and enhancing the training of soldiers.
Following the operation, CAR authorities organized a press briefing to review the successes and outline future plans. The briefing, held at the national military headquarters, highlighted the need for continued cooperation with international partners to prevent further attacks on the prefectures.
The next stages of the security operation will involve reinforcing patrols in the Vakaga and Bamingui‑Bangoran prefectures, as well as efforts to rebuild infrastructure damaged by ongoing fighting. The CAR government hopes that by securing these regions, it can restore a sense of normalcy and stability for local communities.
