Eastern Congo Tensions Escalate: Minembwe Hit by Alleged Drone Attacks
Explosions were reported again on Sunday in Minembwe, South Kivu Province, following alleged drone strikes a day earlier that targeted Kalongi village, according to a statement released by AFC/M23.
In the statement, AFC/M23 said that on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a coalition of forces aligned with the government in Democratic Republic of the Congo carried out a drone strike on Kalongi village, setting parts of the area ablaze. The group accused government forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas in Minembwe Territory.
AFC/M23 further alleged that on Sunday, March 1, 2026, drone attacks continued from early morning hours, with what it described as indiscriminate bombardment in densely populated parts of Kalingi. The group claimed that so-called “suicide drones” were used in the strikes, putting civilians at risk. The claims could not be independently verified.
According to the same statement, at around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, a coalition composed of the Congolese army (FARDC), the Burundian armed forces (FDNB), FDLR fighters, mercenaries, and Wazalendo militias launched a ground offensive against AFC/M23 positions in Kakenke and surrounding areas.
AFC/M23 accused Kinshasa’s leadership of escalating hostilities instead of pursuing a political solution, saying its forces remain on high alert and prepared to defend both their positions and civilians in areas under their control.
There was no immediate response from FARDC or government authorities regarding the allegations. No confirmed casualty figures have been released in connection with the reported drone strikes or ground clashes.
