In the fields of Rugezi, located in the Fizi Territory of South Kivu Province, numerous bodies of soldiers from the Congolese national army (FARDC) have been discovered following intense fighting between government forces and their allies on one side, and the coalition of Twirwaneho and M23 on the other.
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The first reports came from local women who had gone to their fields to farm. They stated that over the past two days, they had found soldiers’ corpses scattered across the fields and in various bushes.
One of the women said: “We entered the field early in the morning and encountered soldiers’ bodies. In one area, we saw seven corpses, and a bit further, we found about thirteen more. We were filled with fear.”
Residents confirmed that the bodies were dressed in FARDC military uniforms. They also reported that near the bodies were numerous abandoned weapons, including machine guns, Gatling guns, and many bullets scattered across the fields.
This Rugezi area lies to the southwest of Minembwe Commune. Two months ago, it was taken over by the Twirwaneho-M23 coalition, and since then, it has repeatedly come under attack by government forces.
However, after the latest clash in the middle of last week, FARDC has not launched any further attacks in the area, believed to be due to the heavy losses they suffered, including the death of many soldiers.
Meanwhile, new reports from sources closely following the situation in the region state that on Friday last week, Burundian troops departed from Bujumbura and entered Congo, heading toward the interior.
It is said this move is part of preparations for renewed attacks on the Twirwaneho and M23 bases located in Mikenke.
