Politics, Violence
FARDC Repels RDF/M23-AFC Attack in South Kivu Highlands
Congolese forces repel an attack by RDF/M23-AFC fighters in South Kivu’s Uvira highlands, military authorities confirm.
Published:
January 13, 2026 at 7:10:56 AM
Modified:
January 13, 2026 at 7:10:56 AM
UVIRA, South Kivu — The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have repelled an attack by the Rwandan army and its allied M23/AFC armed groups in the highlands of Uvira territory, South Kivu province, military authorities said on Sunday.
According to the spokesperson for the 33rd Military Region, the assault targeted positions held by Congolese forces near Nyambunguma village, on the high plateaus bordering Fizi territory, and aimed to advance toward strategic areas in the region.
Captain Sylvain Bijanu, speaking on behalf of the FARDC, said Congolese troops had anticipated the attack after detecting suspicious movements and reinforcement of enemy positions in recent days.
“The FARDC deployed in the Uvira highlands, precisely at Point Zéro in Nyambunguma village, were attacked by the coalition of the Rwandan army and M23-AFC-Twigwaneho,” Captain Bijanu said. “Thanks to accurate military intelligence gathered in advance, our forces had prepared several defensive ambushes.”
He added that the attackers had intended to surprise Congolese positions but were met with a rapid and coordinated response.
“The enemy believed they would catch our forces off guard. Instead, they were confronted by alert and reinforced loyalist units, which quickly launched a counter-offensive and inflicted heavy losses on the assailants,” he said.
Heavy Losses Reported Among Attackers
The FARDC spokesperson noted that several bodies were left behind on the battlefield, underlining the intensity of the fighting. While no official casualty figures were released, the army described the engagement as a significant tactical setback for the attacking forces.
The confrontation follows days of unusual enemy movements and troop build-ups, observed since Friday in areas south of Uvira town and around Nyambunguma, according to military sources.
FARDC Reaffirms Territorial Defense
Captain Bijanu reiterated the Congolese army’s determination to defend national territory and called on local communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces.
“The FARDC remain fully committed to defending every inch of the national territory,” he said, urging civilians to report any suspicious movements to authorities.
Eastern DRC has faced continued insecurity linked to the Rwandan-backed M23/AFC coalition, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts at the regional and international levels to de-escalate the conflict.
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