Clashes Resume in Masisi Territory as AFC/M23 Battles FARDC–Wazalendo Coalition Despite Ceasefire
Renewed fighting erupted on Thursday, February 27, 2026, in Kinyumba locality, Masisi territory, North Kivu province, as combatants from the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) clashed with units of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), backed by Wazalendo self-defense groups.
Field reports and local sources describe heavy gunfire and sustained confrontations in Kinyumba, part of what appears to be an intensified push by government-aligned forces in the area. Masisi, a mineral-rich and strategically important territory, has long been a focal point of conflict within the wider eastern Congo crisis.
In the past hours, M23 rebels have reportedly seized the strategic Karuvariya hill, a high ground that overlooks several key localities including Gatoyi, Kinigi, Nkokwe, and Cyugi.
The capture of Karuvariya significantly alters the tactical balance on the ground, as the hill provides commanding views and fire control over surrounding areas. Military analysts note that control of such elevated terrain often confers a decisive operational advantage.
The development is said to place government forces stationed in Gatoyi at heightened risk, particularly as they had already been pushed out of nearby positions.
Tensions were further heightened on Wednesday, February 26, at around 6 p.m. local time, when a drone reportedly carried out a strike in the Isiro neighborhood of Nyabiondo, also in Masisi territory. Witnesses said explosives were dropped on a position believed to be held by AFC/M23, triggering a powerful blast heard across nearby communities. Casualty figures and the extent of material damage remain unverified, as access to the area is limited and the security situation continues to shift rapidly.
The reported strike reflects an expanding reliance on aerial capabilities in the conflict. In recent days, FARDC has been accused of deploying drones to target rebel positions and senior figures, signaling a shift in battlefield tactics. Analysts warn that such developments could further escalate the confrontation, complicate humanitarian operations, and undermine fragile stabilization efforts.
The clashes in Masisi unfold amid a tenuous truce framework, with both sides trading accusations of ceasefire violations. AFC/M23 representatives have repeatedly alleged that government forces and allied militias are carrying out large-scale offensives, including drone and artillery attacks, some of which they claim have affected civilian areas.
