At least two civilians have been confirmed dead, one seriously injured, and several homes destroyed following overnight bombardments in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a statement by the M23 rebel movement.
The attacks reportedly occurred between Thursday night, March 26, and Friday morning, March 27, in Mikenke and surrounding areas. M23 alleges that coalition forces allied to the government in Kinshasa carried out the strikes using drones, targeting densely populated civilian zones.
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka on Friday condemned the attacks, describing them as deliberate and harmful to civilians.
“These strikes deliberately targeted civilian areas and are part of a strategy of terror against innocent populations,” Kanyuka said.
He further claimed that the bombardments undermine ongoing confidence-building efforts and signal a lack of commitment to peace agreements reportedly reached during international engagements in Doha and Washington.
Kanyuka also raised concerns about the broader security situation in eastern DR Congo, citing continued violence in areas such as Minembwe.
He called on both national and international actors to take note of the developments and prioritize the protection of civilians.
There has been no immediate response from the government regarding the allegations.
The situation in eastern DR Congo remains volatile, with persistent clashes and competing accusations between armed groups and government forces continuing to take a toll on civilian populations.
