More than 10 fighters from the March 23 Movement (M23) have reportedly been killed in a series of airstrikes and bombings carried out by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their coalition partners at Minembwe airfield and nearby areas in South Kivu province.
The clashes, which began over the weekend, have been ongoing across several areas of South Kivu, particularly at Minembwe airfield, the high plateau of Fizi, and in Uvira and Kaziba.
The conflict pits FARDC soldiers and a coalition of forces against M23 rebels and the Twirwaneho militia coalition. On Monday, M23 president Bertrand Bisimwa released a statement accusing FARDC soldiers and their allies of deploying fighter jets (Sukhoi) and attack drones to bomb several villages in Minembwe.
According to Bisimwa, the strikes were aimed at areas populated by Banyamulenge civilians, as well as Minembwe airfield, which serves as a key aviation hub connecting the region.
In contrast, on Tuesday night, Jean Jacques Elakano, vice-governor of South Kivu province, announced that the operation by the army and coalition forces successfully destroyed all aircraft transporting M23 rebels from Bukavu city, resulting in the deaths of over 10 fighters.
Elakano stated that the Minembwe airfield was being used to supply local armed groups, including Twirwaneho and Red Tabara, with ammunition and military equipment, thereby strengthening the M23 rebels’ efforts.
He added that FARDC and coalition forces are facing pressure from M23 rebels seeking to move through Kaziba to join forces with allies in Minembwe and destabilize the Fizi and Uvira territories.
“That is why there were these intense attacks on the Minembwe airfield, which was already in the hands of some Rwandan auxiliaries, such as Twirwaneho and their allies from Red Tabara, who wanted to disturb the peace and security of the population in the region. The military high command seized the opportunity to neutralize these aircraft that were making the connection between Bukavu and Minembwe,” said Elakano.
Elakano emphasized that Kaziba is a critical strategic area for all parties involved. If captured by M23 rebels, it would enable them to connect freely with Twirwaneho forces and bolster the strength of Burundian rebels allied with Twirwaneho in the highlands of Fizi territory.
Additionally, control over Kaziba could allow M23 rebels to gain access to Tanganyika province and the city of Uvira, further expanding their influence. Last month, the Twirwaneho armed group announced a coalition with M23 rebels to intensify their fight against the government following the killing of their leader, Gen. Michel Rukund, also known as Makanika, by FARDC soldiers.
Since the resurgence of the M23 insurgency in 2022, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels — an allegation both Rwanda and M23 have consistently denied.
The M23 rebels maintain that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership.
I love M23. May God free you of the poor leadership of DRC.