Intense Fighting Between DRC Army and M23 Rebels in Lubero Territory
In a violent clash on Tuesday, January 14th, intense combat erupted in several areas of Lubero territory, located in North Kivu, between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebels. The fighting is centered around the villages of Kibanda, situated between Luofu and Kayna.
According to sources from ACTUALITE.CD, the FARDC intensified their operations in the area on Monday morning by bombarding rebel positions. The situation remains tense, with a growing sense of insecurity permeating the region.
Witnesses in the area described the harrowing scenes, with heavy gunfire echoing from Luofu towards Kayna, prompting many residents to halt their daily activities. Shops and stores in Kikuvo have remained closed since Monday, and numerous inhabitants are staying indoors, monitoring the unfolding events closely. Fears for safety have led many students to return home, seeking refuge from the escalating violence.
Escalating Conflict and Strategic Maneuvers
The FARDC has bolstered their frontline defenses in Mambasa, while the M23, positioned at a distance from the town, has fortified their stronghold to thwart any advances by the army towards Alimbongo. Reports of intense fighting have also emerged between Paysana and Kiranga, with residents of Kirumba and Kayna attesting to the sounds of heavy artillery fire, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Anxiety looms over the region, as heavy and light gunfire reverberates across Kamandi, Kikuvo, and the eastern part of Luofu. Concerns are mounting as the FARDC appears to be targeting Kayna, a territory under M23 control. Residents fear a repeat of strategic retreats witnessed in other areas reclaimed by the rebel group, leaving the civilian population vulnerable and exposed to danger.
Muhindo Tafuteni, president of the civil society of Lubero, expressed grave apprehension over the ongoing military operations, emphasizing the need for governmental intervention to address the escalating crisis. The failure of diplomatic efforts has underscored the urgency for a decisive response to safeguard the lives of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Army Denies Rumors of Rebel Withdrawal
Contrary to rumors circulating about the M23 retreating from Kirumba and Kayna without engaging in combat, the army has refuted these claims. Over the past ten days, fierce battles have raged in the region, with the FARDC intensifying their offensive to reclaim several key locations from the M23, including Mambasa.
As the conflict persists, the situation remains volatile, with both sides locked in a deadly struggle for dominance in the war-torn region of Lubero. The reverberations of this violent confrontation are felt far and wide, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the local population and raising concerns about the humanitarian impact of the escalating hostilities.