M23 capture Nzibira town in South Kivu after heavy fighting

The M23 rebel group, which is battling the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Sunday, September 21, seized control of Nzibira, a small town in Walungu territory, South Kivu Province.

According to local sources, the takeover came after hours of intense clashes between M23 fighters and a coalition of pro-government forces. Witnesses reported that the rebels, led by Gen. Sultani Makenga, launched coordinated attacks on enemy positions early in the morning before advancing into surrounding villages, including Cisaza, Cibanda, Muyange, and Karhuliza Kalongo.

Heavy shelling preceded the assault, with M23 reportedly deploying armored vehicles to break through defensive lines. The government forces, overwhelmed by the offensive, are said to have abandoned their positions in haste.

By afternoon, Nzibira was firmly under rebel control, marking a significant gain for M23 in South Kivu. The seizure comes only three days after the group announced that it had entered a “self-defense phase” in response to what it described as indiscriminate attacks by government-aligned troops on civilian populations.

Meanwhile, separate battles were reported on Sunday in Masisi and Walikale territories, where fighting between the rebels and pro-government forces also escalated.