KEY POINTS
- Air raids follow intense clashes; villages targeted in both territories
- M23 accused of reprisal attacks on civilians and homes
- Escalation raises concerns over breakdown of Doha peace process
- UN and local sources report multiple casualties and displacement
KINSHASA/NORTH KIVU, DR Congo: The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) launched airstrikes on rebel positions in the Masisi and Walikale territories of North Kivu province, on 21 September 2025, according to UN Radio and local media, and other sources.
The FARDC, the national army of Congo, said the raids targeted fighters of the March 23 Movement (M23), an armed group active in the country’s east.
The air attacks struck villages including Mukwengwa, Bibwe, Nyarushamba, Nyenge and Hembe in Masisi, and targeted rebel positions in Peti in Walikale territory.
These military operations came after two days of intense ground fighting between M23 fighters and pro-government forces, including local self-defence groups known collectively as “Wazalendo,” meaning “patriots” in Swahili.
Villages Under Fire, Civilians Caught in Crossfire
Local sources told Radio Okapi that following the air raids, there were reports of deaths and homes set ablaze, particularly in the villages of Mukwengwa and Nyabikeri in Masisi. It is not clear how many people were killed in total.
Witnesses described the strikes as heavy and frightening; many residents in the affected areas fled their homes amid fears of further bombardment. Some said that rebel forces carried out reprisals in villages after the airstrikes.
Escalation Amid Fragile Peace Efforts
The strikes come at a moment when the peace process known as the Doha process, intended to broker dialogue between the Government of Kinshasa and M23, is showing signs of strain. Local media and conflict analysts say the intensity of the clashes underscored how precarious the ceasefire efforts are.
Security in Masisi has been increasingly unstable in recent weeks, with frequent rebel movements, skirmishes, and reports of civilians being displaced. Walikale, rich in minerals and strategically significant, has frequently been contested because control over its roads and towns can shift the balance in eastern Congo’s conflicts.
What This Means Going Forward
Observers say these airstrikes may represent the FARDC’s attempt to regain momentum and disrupt M23’s ability to hold forward operating bases. If the strikes succeed in weakening rebel supply lines or command posts, they could force the group to retreat or reposition.
However, the use of air power also risks worsening humanitarian outcomes—damage to civilian infrastructure, loss of homes, and more internal displacement are likely consequences. The lack of precise casualty figures complicates the full cost assessment.
Background
The March 23 Movement, or M23, takes its name from a 2009 peace agreement signed on March 23 between the Congolese government and a former rebel group. Fighters who later mutinied in 2012 accused Kinshasa of failing to honour the deal, giving rise to a renewed rebellion that has since destabilised large parts of North Kivu.
The Wazalendo militias, whose name means “patriots” in Swahili, are a loose coalition of community-based self-defence groups that have aligned themselves with the national army in the fight against M23. While they have bolstered the army’s strength, rights groups warn that their fragmented structure and lack of oversight risk further abuses against civilians.
Walikale, one of the areas targeted in the airstrikes, is among Congo’s most mineral-rich territories, holding deposits of tin, coltan, and gold. Control over its mines and trade routes has long been a bone of contention among armed groups, making the territory a flashpoint in the broader conflict in eastern Congo.
