MILITARY allies of Democratic Republic of Congo President Laurent Kabila on Saturday claimed to have beaten back a rebel offensive and killed or captured 400 troops, including some white mercenaries. The Southern African Development Community task force headquarters in the capital Kinshasa said in a statement quoted by Zimbabwe’s government media that “attempts by the invading forces to gain more territory have been completely frustrated.” Three SADC countries — Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia — have troops in the DRC in support of Kabila.