Fierce Fighting Reported in Minembwe’s Civilian Areas of Gakenke and Rugezi
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has accused the coalition of forces aligned with the government in Democratic Republic of the Congo of launching coordinated attacks targeting densely populated areas in South Kivu Province.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 14, AFC/M23 said the attacks began at around 6:00 a.m. local time and targeted the heavily populated areas of Kalingi, Gakenke, Bidegu, and Rugezi in the Minembwe region.
According to the statement, the operations involved ground troops, heavy artillery, kamikaze drones, KT-6 aircraft, and Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets.
AFC/M23 further alleged that, at the time the statement was issued around midday, surveillance drones were continuing to fly over populated areas in North Kivu Province.
The group claimed that CASC Rainbow CH-4 drones were conducting aerial surveillance missions over the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru, and Kalehe.
The statement warned that the movements appeared to signal preparations for further military operations in the region, while condemning what it described as attacks directed against civilians.
