What You Need to Know
M23 rebels have regained control of the villages of Kasini and Lok in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after fierce clashes with the army and allied forces. The fighting has led to civilian evacuations as reports of casualties remain unconfirmed. This escalation follows the Congolese army’s announcement of the death of M23’s military spokesperson, Willy Ngoma, in a drone strike.
Africa-Press. Local media reported that M23 rebels have regained control of two villages in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday after fierce clashes with the army and allied forces.
Security and civilian sources indicated that the villages of Kasini and Lok in the Masisi territory fell after the rebels launched a counterattack on Wednesday, one day after losing them.
According to reports, residents began fleeing to safer areas, and an official casualty count from the fighting was not immediately available.
This escalation in fighting follows the Congolese army’s announcement on Tuesday that it killed Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson for M23, during operations in the eastern part of the country.
Reports suggest that Ngoma was killed in a military drone strike near the mining town of Rubaya in Masisi.
The M23 rebel group has been a significant player in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, which has roots in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. The region has been plagued by violence due to various armed groups vying for control, often fueled by ethnic tensions and competition for resources. The Congolese government has struggled to maintain stability, leading to repeated clashes with rebel factions like M23, which emerged in 2012 and has been involved in numerous conflicts since then.
