M23 Rebels Advance into Provincial Capital in Eastern Congo

Goma - Tensions have escalated in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as M23 rebels have reportedly infiltrated Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. Residents have been rattled by gunfire throughout the night, prompting many to remain indoors and keep businesses closed as the situation unfolds.

The M23 group, which has been active in the eastern DRC for some time, declared that they captured the Kavumu Airport near Bukavu the day prior. Local sources indicated that M23 fighters have taken control of the area surrounding the airport, leading to the retreat of numerous government soldiers.

Independent verification of the situation at the airport has been challenging, as reports from the Associated Press have yet to confirm whether it is under the control of the rebels or still held by Congolese forces. The DRC's Ministry of Communications accused the M23 rebels of violating ceasefire agreements and attacking Congolese troops, who are attempting to quell the violence in Bukavu and its surroundings.

As fear mounts among the local population, many residents are fleeing to neighboring towns, stockpiling supplies in anticipation of further violence. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 70,000 shelters have been destroyed due to shelling and looting, leaving displaced individuals with few options for refuge.

The M23 group is estimated to comprise around 4,000 fighters, making it one of the most formidable and well-known among the more than 100 armed factions vying for control over the resource-rich eastern regions of the DRC. Earlier in January, M23 forces seized Goma, the largest city in the area, located about 100 kilometers from Bukavu.

Recent reports from the UN and the Congolese government indicate that the ongoing rebellion has claimed the lives of at least 2,000 individuals and has displaced hundreds of thousands more, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.