Fresh drone strikes kill civilians in Minembwe, says AFC/M23

The AFC/M23 movement says the coalition forces of the Congolese government carried out drone strikes on Minembwe on Monday, January 12, resulting in civilian deaths. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 lays to rest 22 civilians killed in DR Congo drone attacks in Masisi According to a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, the attack targeted Mukoko and surrounding localities in South Kivu province. “Drones of the Kinshasa regime carried out indiscriminate and criminal bombings on Minembwe, particularly in the locality of Mukoko and its surroundings,” Kanyuka said in a post on X. He did not mention the death toll. “These deliberate and indiscriminate attacks struck densely populated areas, causing the deaths of women and children and forcing the massive displacement of already extremely vulnerable civilian populations.” ALSO READ: Masisi drone strike blamed on MONUSCO as death toll rises to 10 The movement condemned such “barbaric aggression against civilian populations in eastern DR Congo,” and said the attacks amount to repeated and flagrant violations of the ceasefire. “Such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and reflect a total disregard for international humanitarian law,” Kanyuka said. ALSO READ: Minister slams MONUSCO over ‘mild’ condemnation of deadly Masisi drone attack The attacks come just less than two weeks after 22 civilians cowardly in a series of similar drone strikes in Masisi, North Kivu Province. The victims were laid to rest on January 10, while at least 50 others were left injured in these attacks carried out across different parts of Masisi Territory in the same period. A ceremony to honour the victims was held at Stade de l’Unité in Goma, before the bodies were taken for burial in Mubambiro in Masisi Territory. According to the rebel movement, the attacks were carried out by coalition forces backing the Kinshasa government, including the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), Burundian troops, mercenaries, Kinshasa-backed Rwandan genocidal militia FDLR, Wazalendo groups, and other local armed factions.

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Fresh drone strikes kill civilians in Minembwe, says AFC/M23