AFC/M23 Accuses Kinshasa Coalition of Deadly Drone Strike on Civilians in Rubaya
The Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement has accused coalition forces loyal to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of carrying out a deadly drone strike targeting civilians in the town of Rubaya, North Kivu Province.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 24, 2026, AFC/M23 said the attack occurred at approximately 00:15 a.m. and involved the use of a Chinese-made CH4 combat drone.
According to the rebel movement, the strike hit a densely populated area of Rubaya, causing what it described as “numerous civilian deaths” and extensive destruction of homes and private property.
Images and information circulating on social media suggested that one of the missiles struck a guest house in the area, although independent verification of the reported casualties and damage was not immediately available.
AFC/M23 condemned the attack as a deliberate assault against civilians, accusing Kinshasa-aligned forces of carrying out what it called a “barbaric act” against innocent residents.
“The coalition forces fighting for the Kinshasa regime deliberately targeted a heavily populated civilian area,” the movement said in its statement, while calling on Congolese citizens and the international community to document and denounce what it described as an ongoing war against civilians.
The rebel coalition further reiterated its commitment to protecting civilian populations in areas under its control.
