On January 10, 2019, UPC rebels using "heavy weaponry" launched an attack on the town of Bambari in an attempt to seize resources and to extort the local population by collecting their taxes.^[11] After the killing of two police officers and the injuring of a third, Portuguese Paratroopers deployed to the town and engaged the enemy in order to protect civilians and to restore order, the clash lasted five hours and was fought alongside Central African Forces and reportedly Russian mercenaries.^[5] During the fighting, 30 people had to be treated for gunshot wounds with one person dying in hospital. Corbeau News reported the deaths of about 10 people including the two police officers in the town.^[10] The CAR Government stated on Twitter that 20 militants had been killed and 15 were wounded,^[12] the leader of the rebels, General Bellow was wounded during the fighting according to an internal U.N. report.^[13][14]

On 11 January, two French Mirage 2000 fighter jets stationed in neighboring Chad conducted close air support along with two "show of force" demonstrations over Bambari in a mission that lasted four hours and required refueling from a C-135 Tanker.^[15]

After days of relative calm, Portuguese, Nepalese, and Bangladesh forces launched an attack during Operation BEKPA 2 on January 17. The fighting began at 8:00 am and lasted eight hours. UPC fighters put up resistance using heavy weapons, rocket launchers and grenades. An ammunition dump was destroyed and weapons including locally made ones and uniforms were captured, three suspected UPC rebels were detained and handed to local authorities after the operation.^[3][16] MINUSCA spokesmen Vladimir Monteiro told the Defense Times that Peacekeeping forces "engaged UPC elements in two Bambari Neighborhoods".^[17]

On January 19, UPC forces killed an aid worker and a teacher, Portuguese and Nepalese peacekeepers responded and clashes continued, fire was directed towards the neighborhoods of Bornou and Livestock a local resident said.^[9]