Fighting Between DRC Army and M23 Rebels Continues Near Goma 

The conflict between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and M23 rebels, who are reportedly backed by Rwanda, is still ongoing this Friday, January 24. Battles are happening in two key areas near Goma, North Kivu, one on the Kibumba route in Nyiragongo territory and the other on the Sake route in Masisi.

Local sources say the Congolese army and its allies are trying to drive out the rebels from Sake and stop their movement toward Kibumba. From 8 a.m. local time, people in the area have reported hearing gunfire and explosions, especially along the Sake route in Masisi and the Kanyamahoro-Kibumba route in Nyiragongo. These attacks have caused fear and panic in Goma.

Several reports suggest that M23 rebels were controlling Sake, including the village of Mubambiro, until Friday morning. The army and its partners are now attempting to block their advance toward Goma through Virunga National Park and the Nzulo area.

Meanwhile, heavy fighting is also taking place on the Kibumba front, where M23 forces have been trying since early Friday to push forward toward Goma. However, the Congolese army is holding them back, according to local sources.

A day earlier, FARDC, along with allied groups such as the Wazalendo, the SAMIDRC Regional Force, and MONUSCO peacekeepers, were defending the Sake front. Since Thursday, January 23, MONUSCO has restarted Operation Springbok, an initiative launched months ago to help protect Goma in coordination with FARDC.

On the same day, explosions from heavy weapons were heard in northern Nyiragongo territory. A bomb, allegedly dropped by rebels, struck a village in the Muja area, tragically killing at least two civilians.

 (Source: Radio Okapi)