AFC/M23 movement has said it has destroyed the Congolese government drones in Kisangani, accusing authorities in Kinshasa of attempting to carry out aerial attacks during a fragile ceasefire.

"In response to this real threat, our forces deployed at the outskirts of the city of Kisangani conducted a targeted operation to neutralise and destroy drones that were about to be launched to massacre civilians and attack our positions," AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement on Monday, March 2.

"This action falls within our patriotic duty to protect innocent populations."

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He accused President Felix Tshisekedi's government of using drones as part of "indiscriminate bombardments” targeting civilians and rebel movement's positions.

This development follows earlier warnings issued by AFC/M23 when the group declared that attacks by government coalition would not be tolerated.

"The operations to neutralise this threat will continue resolutely as long as Tshisekedi's criminal coalition fails to bring a definitive end to the barbaric massacres it continues to inflict on civilian populations in the liberated territories," Kanyuka said.

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The AFC/M23 claimed its forces destroyed a drone command centre at Kisangani airport between January 31 and February 1. The group said the facility was central to planning and coordinating drone strikes in areas including Masisi, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga and Minembwe.

The group further alleged that coalition forces aligned with Kinshasa including FDRL, Burundi national forces and foreign marcenaries had continued bombardments in violation of a ceasefire agreed in Doha, Qatar, in October 2025.

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The group said it would maintain operations against "threats” as long as attacks on civilians persist.

In a separate message, AFC/M23 deputy coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa argued that peace facilitators and guarantors had failed to ensure compliance with commitments by Kinshasa. He said the group saw itself as having a "patriotic duty” to protect civilians in areas under its control.