A major offensive launched by the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo), FDNB (Burundi National Defense Forces), FDLR, and Wazalendo militias targeted civilians in the Mikenke area, a region in the Mulenge territory predominantly inhabited by the Banyamulenge.
Reliable sources from the front lines confirm that these forces, in coordination with the Kinshasa government, launched an early morning assault on Friday against the Banyamulenge community.
The attacks reportedly began near the former site of the Mikenke hospital, which was relocated to Gipupu—a region largely inhabited by the Babembe people.
Residents say they were caught off guard by the sound of both heavy and light gunfire, with people as far as Minembwe confirming they heard intense shooting, including heavy weapons like machine guns, Kibariga, and ARPG grenades.
A local resident said: “We woke up to heavy fighting near the Mikenke hospital. We haven’t had any peace since—the night turned into complete chaos.”
The Twirwaneho group, which defends the Banyamulenge community, quickly mobilized in response and launched a counteroffensive to reclaim their land.
The fighting is reportedly ongoing, taking place in areas near the Gipupu hills and regions around Cyohagati.
This situation highlights the persistent insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is deeply rooted in ethnic tensions, political struggles, and the presence of armed groups.
Although the FARDC and its allies claim they are combating anti-government rebel groups, there is no evidence that they have managed to dislodge Twirwaneho or M23 since fighting resumed.
The coalition of government-backed armed groups is accused by local residents of extreme brutality and deliberately targeting innocent civilians—especially the Banyamulenge—in an effort to displace them from their ancestral land.
Observers warn that these attacks could be part of a broader plan to dismantle Banyamulenge families in their homeland.
In addition to the growing insecurity, there are fears that this violence could lead to further massacres and significantly increase the number of refugees fleeing from South Kivu.
Some local politicians are calling on the international community to intervene, urging them to implement concrete measures to protect civilians and bring an end to these relentless conflicts that continue to claim innocent lives.
