AFC/M23 accused forces allied with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo of intensifying heavy artillery attacks on villages in the Minembwe area of South Kivu on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
In a statement issued by AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, he said the attacks began at around 6:45 a.m., targeting the heavily populated villages of Rugezi, Nyaruhinga and Mukoko.
AFC/M23 said the attacks on civilian-populated areas were carried out jointly by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), the FDLR armed group, Wazalendo militias, foreign mercenaries and the Burundian Armed Forces (FDNB).
Kanyuka said the attacks involved the use of 82mm mortars, kamikaze drones—explosive drones that detonate upon striking their targets—and KT-6 weapons.
AFC/M23 alleged that the attacks targeting civilians were receiving military, political, diplomatic and logistical support from certain countries and private military companies.
Kanyuka said: “These persistent actions aimed at destroying civilian populations […] should neither be taken lightly nor tolerated.”
AFC/M23 reiterated that it would continue protecting civilians in areas affected by the fighting, saying it would take measures against any forces or groups it considers a threat to their security.
