The AFC/M23 coalition has once again demonstrated its strength in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after repelling a government-led assault on its positions in Katana, located in South Kivu Province.
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This incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, June 4, 2025, when the Congolese government forces (FARDC), supported by Burundian troops (FDNB), FDLR fighters, and Congolese civilian militias known as Wazalendo, launched an attack aiming to recapture Katana, a zone that had long been under the control of the AFC/M23 coalition.
Reports from the area state that the offensive began with shelling targeting AFC/M23 positions near Kavumu Airport. However, it was short-lived as AFC/M23 swiftly launched a counterattack, overwhelming and quickly pushing back the attackers.
The ensuing battles were intense and echoed throughout various parts of the region, with the sound of heavy and light weaponry sparking panic among residents in Katana and surrounding areas. Many chose to flee toward areas near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, which has also recently experienced instability.
Faced with fierce resistance, the attacking soldiers eventually retreated into nearby forests after realizing they could no longer sustain the fight.
The AFC/M23 coalition promptly released a statement claiming to have “foiled the attack by government forces and their allies,” accusing them of continuing to destabilize the lives of civilians in the area under their control.
This was not the first clash in Katana. Last month, the area experienced repeated skirmishes, but government troops and their partners were often forced to retreat.
The AFC/M23 coalition has held control over the area since early February 2025, before advancing to seize the city of Bukavu on February 16.
Katana, located in Kabare Territory, remains a key battleground in the ongoing conflict between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 coalition. The coalition claims to be fighting for the rights of Tutsi communities in the DRC, though Kinshasa labels it a Rwandan-backed rebel group — an allegation Kigali firmly denies.
Analysts warn that such clashes may continue to intensify in the region, as unresolved issues surrounding the rights of certain communities and the widespread insecurity fueled by armed groups remain major obstacles to peace and stability in eastern Congo.
