Heavy fighting broke out in the Masango area, located in Bijombo Groupement in Uvira Territory of South Kivu Province, between the M23 rebel group and a coalition of forces allied with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the FARDC, Burundian troops, and the Wazalendo and FDLR armed groups.
Reliable sources from the area reported that the fighting took place on Monday this week, when M23 fighters and the coalition of forces allied with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) engaged in a brief but intense confrontation that resulted in significant consequences, particularly for the pro-government coalition, which is said to have suffered considerable setbacks during the clashes.
According to information gathered by Minembwe Capital News, following the clashes, the M23 rebel group reportedly succeeded in capturing two positions held by the coalition of government forces in the Masango area, located between Ndondo and Rurambo. The sources further indicate that the positions were destroyed during the fighting, while various military equipment was allegedly seized.
Information provided by local residents and other sources close to the scene of the fighting indicates that the coalition of government forces lost various weapons, including several firearms and other military equipment that had been stationed at those positions. Reports also suggest that numerous soldiers were killed during the clashes, although no official casualty figures have yet been released or confirmed by military authorities from either side.
One local resident said, “The fighting pitted M23 against the FARDC and its allies in Masango. The FARDC, Burundian troops, Wazalendo, and the FDLR suffered heavy losses. Reports suggest that the death toll may exceed 20, but no figures have yet been officially confirmed by the relevant authorities.”
Although these reports continue to circulate in the region, no official confirmation or statement has yet been obtained from either the FARDC or M23 leadership to verify or deny the claims regarding the number of casualties in the clashes and the military equipment allegedly captured.
These clashes in Masango come at a time when several areas of Uvira Territory continue to experience insecurity and recurring fighting between various opposing armed groups. Meanwhile, heavy clashes have also been reported in the Mitamba area, where MRDP-Twirwaneho engaged in fighting with a coalition of forces loyal to the government of the DRC, comprising Burundian troops, Wazalendo, and FDLR fighters.
Information from those areas indicates that the fighting in Mitamba forced coalition government forces to retreat toward the Kirungwa area, a large hill that separates Ndondo from Uvira town.
Security analysts say that the continued expansion of the clashes in Bijombo areas could further destabilize civilian security and worsen internal displacement and refugee flows, as the opposing sides continue to seek control over strategically important locations from a military standpoint.
