Over 700 Killed as DR Congo Military Battles M23 Rebels

More than 700 killed as DR Congo military fights M23 rebels

At least 773 people have died in Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and its surrounding areas over the past week due to intense fighting with M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. The clashes mark a serious escalation in the decade-long conflict. The death toll is still provisional, as some rebels instructed civilians to clear the streets of Goma, which may have led to mass graves. The number of fatalities could be even higher.

M23, which is considered the most powerful of over 100 armed groups in the region, is supported by roughly 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda. The rebels’ advance has been slowed in certain areas by the DRC’s military, which managed to retake some villages, although the military’s strength has been significantly weakened due to the loss of hundreds of soldiers. After the fall of Goma, foreign mercenaries also surrendered to the rebels.

The ongoing violence highlights the struggle for control of the mineral-rich region, which holds vital resources used in global technology production.

Hundreds of Goma residents began returning to the city on Saturday after M23 rebels assured them that basic services, including water and electricity, would be restored. Upon their return, the residents worked to clean up the streets, which were strewn with weapon debris and the odor of blood from the violence that had plagued the city.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN peacekeeping chief, reported on Friday that the M23 rebels, along with Rwandan forces, were approximately 60 kilometers north of Bukavu, South Kivu's provincial capital. Lacroix expressed concern over the rebels’ rapid progress and warned that if they captured an airport just a few kilometers away, it would be a significant step in their advancement toward further destabilizing the region.

The fall of Goma has caused a halt to many humanitarian operations in the region, disrupting vital aid supplies that are crucial to the local population. Rose Tchwenko, the country director for Mercy Corps, highlighted the dire situation, noting that the breakdown of humanitarian access is leaving entire communities without the support they desperately need. She also pointed out that the escalating violence toward Bukavu has intensified fears of even greater displacement as more people are forced to flee the fighting.

The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as both the violence and the inability to deliver aid hamper the efforts of international organizations to assist those affected. As the conflict moves closer to Bukavu, the risk to civilian populations increases, and the future of peace and stability in eastern DRC remains uncertain. The situation underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further escalation and provide relief to those caught in the conflict.
Rwandan-backed rebels M23 claim capture of eastern DRC city Goma

Fighters from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have claimed control over the eastern city of Goma after a swift advance in recent weeks. This has led to the displacement of thousands and raised fears of a broader regional war.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka urged Goma residents to remain calm, stating on social media that "the liberation of the city has been successfully carried out and the situation is under control." While it is unclear how much of the city is under rebel control, witnesses have reported seeing M23 fighters in central areas of Goma. Residents mentioned hearing gunfire near the airport, city center, and near the border.

The arrival of the rebels has sparked mixed reactions from locals. Some stayed indoors, while others came out to cheer. Videos posted on social media showed crowds lining the streets to greet armed rebels wearing green fatigues, chanting "Welcome, welcome our friends." However, others expressed caution, explaining that they were showing friendliness out of fear. "We try to be kind because there is fear. Since they are criminals, we can’t predict their behavior," said one resident. Another added, "We stay at home waiting to know the real situation because there is a lot of confusion at the moment."

The rebels had given Congolese government soldiers an ultimatum to surrender by 3 a.m. on Monday. Reports indicate that 100 Congolese soldiers handed over their weapons to Uruguayan troops in the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, Monusco. Meanwhile, Monusco personnel and their families were evacuated to Rwanda, where buses were waiting for them.

The DRC's eastern borderlands are a volatile region, plagued by rebel and militia groups following the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. M23 is the latest Tutsi-led group to emerge in the area.

In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Bintou Keita, the UN special representative, confirmed that M23 and Rwandan forces had entered Goma's Munigi neighborhood, causing panic among residents. Keita also reported that M23 fighters were using civilians as human shields while others fled.

In response, DRC’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of waging "a frontal aggression," asserting that Rwanda's actions amounted to an open declaration of war. Rwanda's Ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm the DRC's allegations but blamed the DRC government, claiming the crisis could have been avoided with a stronger commitment to peace.

Kenya's President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community (EAC), called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging the leaders of DRC and Rwanda to listen to the peace appeals from the regional community and the international world. The EAC is expected to convene an extraordinary summit within the next 48 hours.

M23 claims its purpose is to protect the Tutsi ethnic group in DRC. The group briefly seized Goma in 2012 but withdrew after international sanctions against Rwanda for supporting the rebels. However, they resurfaced in late 2021, with increasing backing from Rwanda.

The ongoing conflict threatens to escalate one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Over a third of North Kivu's population has been displaced, according to the UN. Rose Tchwenko, Mercy Corps' country director in DRC, warned that Goma, as a crucial humanitarian hub, is "perilously close to breaking."

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix reported that the situation remains volatile, with significant advances by M23, and acknowledged the presence of Rwandan forces on the ground. He called for diplomatic efforts and stressed the need for peacekeeping forces to protect civilians.

Monusco’s operations continue amid the ongoing fighting in Goma. Bruno Lemarquis, a deputy special representative, described the situation as "very dangerous" and reported that some Monusco personnel were sheltering in underground bunkers. Additionally, several shells hit a major Goma hospital, which is now overwhelmed with casualties.

Essential services like water, electricity, and internet have been disrupted, and looting has occurred at humanitarian facilities, including an attack on a UNHCR vehicle and a strike on a Save the Children facility.

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