Fighting in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, continues to escalate as reports from the front lines indicate that the MRDP-Twirwaneho rebel group, in coordination with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), has expanded the areas under its control after capturing seven localities that had previously been held by a coalition of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
According to credible information from an MRDP-Twirwaneho soldier involved in military operations in Fizi, Thursday’s military offensive enabled the group to seize several key strategic areas.
They captured areas including Kirumbi and other locations around Ngoma and Gatongo. In total, the number of areas we have taken is seven.”
He further explained that reports circulating for several days claiming that Kirumbi had already been captured were inaccurate, saying that the area was taken during new attacks the previous day.
“Many people had been saying for days that we had captured Kirumbi, but that was not true. We captured Kirumbi yesterday.”
These developments indicate that MRDP-Twirwaneho has continued expanding its positions following the capture of Nguli, before joining forces with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) to seize the Kwa Mulima area, which is considered strategically important for controlling military operations in the region.
Since the beginning of July, MRDP-Twirwaneho has shown significant momentum on the battlefield. In recent clashes, it pushed back a coalition of government forces consisting of FARDC, Burundian troops, Wazalendo fighters, and FDLR elements from areas including Mikenke, Bilalombili, Rwitsankuku, Bicumbi, Mutunda, Point Zero, and several other locations in Fizi and Minembwe.
Information from residents and other sources on the battlefield indicates that the government forces’ coalition continues to retreat, with some of its soldiers moving toward Bibogobogo and the city of Baraka after being defeated in clashes across different areas.
Analysts say that if the current momentum of MRDP-Twirwaneho and AFC/M23 continues, it could push the fighting closer to Bibogobogo and Baraka. However, it cannot be confirmed as a fact that these areas will be captured, as this will depend on how military operations develop in the coming days.
This comes as the conflict continues to change dynamics in South Kivu, where opposing sides are competing for control of areas considered strategically important for military operations and transportation routes.
