Heavy fighting between M23/AFC rebels and a coalition of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces and allied militias has intensified in South Kivu Province, with government forces using mortars and kamikaze drones in an attempt to recapture strategic positions held by the rebels.
The fighting has continued for several days, with FARDC, Twiraneno fighters and Wazalendo militias targeting M23/AFC positions using heavy weapons. On Monday, government and allied forces fired 120mm and 82mm mortars at Point Zéro, a strategic hill linking the highland town of Minembwe, the Mwenga highlands and the lakeside city of Baraka along National Road No. 5.
Point Zéro is currently under the control of M23/AFC forces after being captured several weeks ago. The government forces also deployed kamikaze drones to carry out airstrikes on the rebel positions as they sought to regain control of the strategic location. M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused FARDC and its allied forces of intensifying the bombardments, saying Monday’s attacks also targeted Kasika in Mwenga Territory, as well as Nyaruhinga and Mukoko in the Minembwe area. Kanyuka claimed the bombardments had forced numerous families to flee their homes.
He also accused FARDC-allied Nyatura fighters and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) of infiltrating Kivuye village in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, and opening fire on civilians. Kanyuka said the incident left 41-year-old Augustin Byukusenge and a four-year-old child, Asante Sibomana, injured.
He said M23/AFC fighters were engaging government forces with what he described as professionalism and determination to protect civilians. FARDC had not issued a response to the allegations by the time of filing this report. The latest escalation comes days after a civilian Antonov An-28 aircraft was reportedly shot down near Minembwe Airport in South Kivu on Thursday, August 27, killing all four people on board.
FARDC claimed responsibility for the incident, saying the aircraft was carrying supplies intended to reinforce M23/AFC rebels. M23/AFC had not issued a response to the allegation by the time of filing this report. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23/AFC, allegations that Kigali and the rebel movement have consistently denied.
M23/AFC says its armed struggle is aimed at addressing what it describes as corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the Congolese leadership. The group has intensified its offensive in eastern DRC since early 2025, capturing several strategic towns and territories and raising concerns that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional crisis-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
