
Fighters from the Rwanda-backed M23 movement captured the mining settlement of Lumbishi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources reported.
The strategic mineral-rich site in the Sud-Kivu region fell to the armed group around 1530 GMT on Saturday, residents confirmed.
Following the seizure, M23 forces began advancing toward Numbi and Shanje, two neighboring locations in Kalehe territory, sources disclosed.
“Since this morning, there has been intense fighting against the enemy in Kalehe,” a security source stated anonymously on Sunday.
M23, officially known as the Movement of March 23, is supported by Kigali and reportedly bolstered by Rwandan troops.
Since 2021, the group has claimed extensive areas in eastern DRC, a region rich in valuable minerals but plagued by conflict.
The United Nations estimates that fighting between M23 and the Congolese army has displaced at least 237,000 people since January.
Efforts to negotiate peace faltered last month when a December 15 summit was abruptly canceled due to disagreements over dialogue terms.
As the crisis deepens, the situation in DR Congo’s east underscores the fragile state of regional security and humanitarian stability.