In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, around 20 civilians lost their lives in an attack on Thursday, as stated by the army and M23 rebels, with both sides pointing fingers at each other for initiating the assault.
This incident is the most recent consequence of the ongoing conflict between Congolese troops and M23, resulting in a mass exodus of people from their homes and worsening the region’s lengthy security and humanitarian crisis.
The attack occurred in the town of Mweso in Masisi territory, approximately 80 km (50 miles) from the city of Goma in North Kivu province, according to the conflicting reports from the two sides.
Both the army and M23 provided different versions of the events that transpired.
According to the army’s statement, M23 launched mortar bombs on Mweso while retreating during a military operation aimed at pushing them back.
On the other hand, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa accused the army of using drones and heavy artillery to bomb residential areas in Mweso, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians and the destruction of homes, churches, and schools, as reported in a statement on X.
While the army claimed 19 civilians were killed and 27 wounded, M23 reported the death toll at 20, although Reuters was unable to verify their accounts.
This ongoing conflict has caused a diplomatic crisis between Congo and neighboring Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies.
M23 and its precursor groups have asserted their mission to defend Tutsi interests against ethnic Hutu militias, whose leaders were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide that resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
(Reporting by Fiston Mahamba and Sonia Rolley; Additional reporting by Yassin Kombi; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
