FARDC Launches Drone Attacks in Mushaki and Minembwe, 12 Civilians Reported Dead

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) on Saturday launched attacks in Mushaki, an area located in Masisi Territory in North Kivu Province, using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

Mushaki is a strategic center situated about 20 kilometers from the town of Sake and has been a flashpoint in the ongoing fighting between FARDC and the M23 rebel group. The area was initially captured by M23 in February 2023 but the group later withdrew when the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) deployed to eastern Congo. In December 2023, M23 retook control of the area after expelling Burundian troops and FARDC forces stationed there.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated that FARDC carried out drone strikes in Mushaki on Saturday, causing significant damage to civilian houses and spreading fear among the local population.

Videos shared by Kanyuka on the social media platform X show several homes destroyed by the strikes. He described the attacks as “brutal” and accused government forces of targeting civilian areas, saying the operations had forced residents to flee and caused casualties.

Kanyuka also criticized what he described as the silence of the international community regarding the situation in eastern Congo.

“While the blood of Congolese civilians continues to be shed, those who often lecture others about human rights have chosen to remain shamefully silent,” he said.

He further stressed that the ongoing killing of Congolese civilians would not be ignored.

Besides Mushaki and its surrounding areas, reports indicate that attacks were also carried out in Gakenke in the Minembwe area on the same day. According to available information, the strikes killed 12 people and injured eight others.