A statement was released by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) on the recent attacks on civilians by the Lord’s Resistance Army: "I am horrified by the reported massacres that rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army have carried out over recent weeks in Congo and Sudan, leaving hundreds of people dead, scores of women raped, children abducted and villages ransacked. I condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms. Regional militaries have an important role to play in addressing the LRA threat, but I have long warned of the risks of rash and poorly planned military action and I am concerned the current offensive has been just that. It has not done enough to save rebel abductees, left civilians vulnerable to reprisal attacks by the rebels and fueled regional instability. Regional militaries must make civilian protection a priority. I call on the Bush Administration, the incoming Obama administration, and the international community to ensure ongoing efforts to disarm and demobilize the LRA have the highest possible chance of success and pose minimal risks to innocent civilians."