Rebel Attacks Leave 15 Dead and Thousands Displaced in DR Congo

Tuesday, March 05, 2024 – In a recent surge of violence, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has launched a series of attacks in the lawless eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in the death of at least 15 people and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Reports from locals, health workers, and government officials indicate that the attacks primarily targeted the Rutshuru region in the eastern province of North Kivu. The clashes between the predominantly Tutsi M23 rebels and Congolese government forces have escalated in recent days, particularly in the Rutshuru and Masisi regions, effectively cutting off access to the North Kivu capital, Goma.

“Around four in the morning, the M23 attacked our forces in Kirima,” stated Maisha Faustin, a local official, emphasizing that the rebels had successfully disrupted a vital supply route for the Congolese army. The violence extended to Nyanzale, approximately 10 kilometers west of Kirima, where at least 15 individuals, including children, lost their lives in the clashes.

“Bombs rained on the residents,” described Ombeni Gasiga, a prominent member of civil society in Nyanzale, illustrating the severity of the situation. “The whole population fled,” he added, highlighting the widespread panic and displacement caused by the conflict.

Witnesses recounted the harrowing experiences of fleeing with the sick to seek refuge, while health workers struggled to attend to the wounded amidst the chaos. Tragically, several sources confirmed the deaths of at least ten individuals, including children, due to projectile attacks, with twelve others sustaining injuries, five of whom succumbed to their wounds, including three children.

The international community, including the European Union, the United States, and France, has condemned Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels, accusing Kigali of intervening in the DRC to exploit its vast mineral resources. Despite Rwanda’s denial of these allegations, pressure mounts for immediate withdrawal of military personnel from Congolese territory and cessation of support for the rebel group.

As the conflict continues to escalate, concerns for the safety and well-being of civilians in the region remain paramount, with efforts underway to address the humanitarian crisis and restore peace in the volatile eastern provinces of the DRC