A midnight swarm of explosive drones targeted the Bangboka International Airport in Kisangani during a tense weekend operation.
Provincial leaders in Tshopo confirmed Monday that security forces neutralized eight enemy aircraft before they reached their intended targets.
While no group claimed the strike, local authorities blamed the M23 rebel group and its Rwandan allies for the incursion.
The strategic hub serves as a vital lifeline for 1.5 million residents due to the region’s crumbling road infrastructure.
Military jets and attack drones frequently depart from this runway to strike rebel positions located 400 kilometers to the east.
Heavy explosions echoed through the darkness until Sunday morning, forcing terrified residents to flee their homes for the city center.
The provincial government declared the situation under control Monday and urged displaced families to return to their local neighborhoods.
Security cordons around the facility have been reinforced, yet domestic airlines continue to operate scheduled flights without significant delays.
The DRC’s resource-rich east has endured three decades of relentless conflict, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions more.
