Continued heavy fighting between the AFC/M23 and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s army and its allies has escalated in Masisi territory in North Kivu, displacing many civilians from their homes, Kivu Post has established.
Heavy clashes were also reported on Wednesday morning in parts of Ndete and Kazinga, following drone strikes on Tuesday evening, reportedly carried out by the FARDC, which allegedly killed Willy Ngoma, the M23 military spokesperson, and reportedly wounded others who were traveling in the same convoy; numbers have not yet been confirmed.
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Various reports indicate that Wazalendo fighters and FARDC forces have taken control of several areas where fighting occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, reportedly displacing AFC/M23 fighters.
AFC/M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, accused the Kinshasa regime of escalating the conflict. Referring to attacks launched on Wednesday, February 25, he described the government as crossing “a new threshold of violence by launching a large-scale offensive.”
“Coalition forces used armed drones and heavy artillery to strike densely populated areas and our positions, in clear violation of international humanitarian law,” the spokesperson stated.
According to AFC/M23, similar attacks were recorded in Rutigita and Rugezi in Minembwe, as well as in Kitazungura in Kalehe territory.
“These deadly attacks are causing loss of life, massive displacement of civilians, and fueling an extremely serious humanitarian crisis,” he added.
Sources told the BBC that the attacks are intensifying and many residents in affected areas have fled their homes.
“There are fierce battles; there are very serious clashes,” said Sadiki Voltaire Batundi, head of Masisi civil society. “On the FARDC and Wazalendo side, they have already taken areas like Mahanga, Kazinga, Kasenyi, Nkonkwe, Mkumbulire, and Nyakigano. They are now fighting for Kalangala near Kiningi.”
As of now, both FARDC and M23 continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreement over the past week, particularly in parts of South Kivu and North Kivu provinces.
Meanwhile, talks in Doha remain strained, analysts say, amid continued hostilities on the ground.
