FARDC Drones Launch New Attacks on Rumangabo After Rubaya Bombardment
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 renewed aerial bombardments targeting densely populated civilian areas in North and South Kivu provinces using CH-4 combat drones and kamikaze drones.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 24, 2026, AFC/M23 said coalition forces supporting the Kinshasa government launched indiscriminate bomb attacks at approximately 7:35 a.m. on the town of Rumangabo and on a camp housing rangers responsible for protecting Virunga National Park.
According to the movement, the strikes were carried out using Chinese-made CH-4 military drones and resulted in deaths, widespread panic among civilians, and significant destruction of homes and civilian property.
The rebel coalition described the attacks as “barbaric acts” deliberately targeting populated areas, accusing Kinshasa-aligned forces of escalating military operations against civilians.
AFC/M23 further claimed that similar attacks intensified in the Minembwe region, particularly in the localities of Kalingi, Bidegu, Gakenke, Rugezi, Kalonge, and Mikenke, where coalition forces allegedly deployed kamikaze drones and KT-6 attack aircraft.
According to the statement, the bombardments began late Saturday night, May 23, 2026, at around 11:00 p.m., and continued into Sunday morning until approximately 10:00 a.m., leaving residents in what the group described as “extreme fear and despair.”
Images circulating on social media purportedly showed extensive damage to civilian structures, including a guest house reportedly struck during earlier drone attacks in Rubaya.
The movement also reported fresh attacks in Kalehe Territory, South Kivu Province, where Kinshasa coalition forces allegedly bombarded the densely populated area of Cyangungu and surrounding villages at around 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
According to AFC/M23, the attacks triggered mass displacement of civilians and caused extensive destruction to homes and livelihoods.
