Civilian Deaths Reported as FARDC Drone Strikes Hit Fizi, AFC/M23 Condemns
The rebel group AFC/M23, opposed to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reported that on the night of March 21–22, 2026, government forces and their allied militias launched attacks across several areas in Fizi Territory, resulting in civilian casualties.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for AFC/M23, stated that the strikes were carried out using kamikaze drones, which dropped explosives in the areas of Gakenke, Kalingi, and the Minembwe center in South Kivu.
“These drone attacks targeted defenseless civilians, causing deaths, disrupting livelihoods, and forcing many to flee their homes,” Kanyuka said. He emphasized that the assaults struck densely populated areas, displacing residents and inflicting severe psychological trauma.
Kanyuka further criticized the international community for its silence, accusing it of inaction in the face of what he described as systematic attacks on civilians.
“AFC/M23 calls on Congolese citizens to remain vigilant against these ongoing attacks on civilians. These operations are deliberate and purposeful, yet the international community continues to turn a blind eye,” he added.
