Over 700 Killed as DR Congo Military Battles M23 Rebels

More than 700 killed as DR Congo military fights M23 rebels

Over 700 people have been killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid fierce clashes between government forces and M23 rebels near Goma, the region’s largest city. According to provisional reports, at least 773 deaths have been recorded in Goma and nearby areas over the past week, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the ongoing conflict.

Officials warn that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, as reports suggest rebels forced civilians to remove bodies from the streets, raising fears of mass burials. The latest violence represents a grave escalation in the decade-long insurgency, with the M23 rebel group—allegedly backed by Rwanda— intensifying its offensive against Congolese forces.

The M23 rebel group, regarded as the most powerful among more than 100 armed factions operating in eastern Congo, is reportedly supported by around 4,000 Rwandan troops. Although the Congolese military has managed to recapture several villages, its overall strength has been severely diminished following the loss of hundreds of soldiers. After Goma’s fall, several foreign mercenaries were also reported to have surrendered to the rebels.

The renewed fighting underscores the ongoing battle for control of the mineral-rich region, which is abundant in resources essential to the global tech industry.

By Saturday, hundreds of displaced Goma residents began returning home after M23 assured them that basic services such as water and electricity would soon be restored. Many residents were seen clearing the city’s streets, littered with debris and marked by the stench of blood from the recent clashes.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN peacekeeping chief, stated on Friday that M23 forces, alongside Rwandan troops, were positioned roughly 60 kilometers north of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. He voiced deep concern over the rebels’ swift advance, warning that capturing a nearby airport could serve as a major strategic gain, potentially paving the way for further regional instability.

The fall of Goma has also brought most humanitarian operations in the area to a standstill, disrupting critical aid delivery to thousands of civilians. Rose Tchwenko, Mercy Corps’ country director, described the situation as catastrophic, emphasizing that the collapse of humanitarian access has left entire communities stranded without food, shelter, or medical support.

As the violence edges closer to Bukavu, fears of mass displacement and worsening humanitarian conditions are rising sharply. With both fighting and logistical challenges obstructing aid, the crisis in eastern DRC continues to deepen — a grim reminder of the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further bloodshed and stabilize the region.
Rwandan-backed rebels M23 claim capture of eastern DRC city Goma

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced that it has seized control of Goma, a key city in the country’s east, following a rapid and coordinated advance in recent weeks. The takeover has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes and has heightened concerns of a wider regional conflict erupting in Central Africa.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka urged residents of Goma to stay calm, announcing on social media that “the city’s liberation has been completed successfully and the situation is under control.” However, uncertainty remains about the extent of the rebels’ control. Witnesses reported spotting M23 fighters in central parts of the city, with gunfire heard near the airport, city center, and border areas.

The rebels’ entry into Goma sparked mixed reactions among locals. While some residents stayed indoors, others gathered on the streets—some cheering as armed rebels in green uniforms passed by, shouting, “Welcome, welcome our friends.” Yet many admitted their display of friendliness stemmed from fear rather than support. “We try to appear kind because we’re afraid. They are criminals, and we don’t know how they might react,” said one resident. Another added, “We’re staying home, waiting to understand what’s really happening. There’s too much confusion right now.”

Before entering the city, M23 had reportedly given Congolese government troops an ultimatum to surrender by 3 a.m. on Monday. About 100 Congolese soldiers are said to have handed over their weapons to Uruguayan peacekeepers serving under the UN mission in the DRC (Monusco). In the aftermath, UN staff and their families were evacuated to Rwanda, where buses awaited them.

The eastern borderlands of the DRC have long been unstable, home to numerous rebel and militia groups that emerged after Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. M23 is the most recent Tutsi-led faction to gain prominence in the region.

Briefing the UN Security Council, Bintou Keita, the UN’s Special Representative to the DRC, confirmed that M23 fighters and Rwandan forces had entered Goma’s Munigi neighborhood, triggering widespread panic. She added that rebels were reportedly using civilians as human shields while others attempted to flee.

Meanwhile, DRC’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of committing “a direct act of aggression,” calling it an open declaration of war. Rwanda’s Ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, denied direct involvement, instead blaming the Congolese government for failing to prevent the crisis through stronger peace efforts.

 

 

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