The M23 rebel group has extended its violent campaign into South Kivu province, bombing a village and killing seven civilians, local officials confirmed Wednesday.
This attack marks a worrying escalation in the ongoing conflict that has already displaced millions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Tutsi-led M23 rebels, who resurfaced in late 2021, have primarily focused on North Kivu province.
However, Tuesday’s attack on Kisongati village in Kalehe territory, South Kivu, indicates an expansion of their operations.
The bombing left seven dead and six injured, according to local authorities.
This attack follows similar violence near Goma, North Kivu’s capital, with clashes reported around the town of Sake on Wednesday.
The recent surge in violence comes amidst rising tensions between the Congolese government and neighboring Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the M23 rebels.
Kigali has consistently denied these accusations.
The ongoing conflict has created a dire humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo.
Fighting in Masisi territory over recent months has displaced thousands, with many seeking refuge in towns like Minova, which was also struck by a bomb last week.
The UN estimates that nearly seven million people are internally displaced within DR Congo, with North Kivu particularly affected.
The recent capture of the mining town of Rubaya by the M23 further complicates the situation, as the town holds strategic mineral resources used in electronics.
With the M23 rebels continuing their advance and the humanitarian crisis worsening, the UN and international actors are urging action.
The international community is expected to pressure both the Congolese government and Rwanda to find a peaceful solution and ensure aid reaches those in need.
