Troops went on the offensive on Wednesday against M23 rebel positions in DR Congo’s east, the army announced, as residents reported fighting on several fronts in North Kivu province.
Backed by “wazalendo” or patriotic militia, the army “launched the offensives early this morning May 22,” said FARDC spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Ndjike on X, formerly Twitter.
He said several localities had already been recaptured from the rebels, who are supported by Rwandan soldiers according to Western powers and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government.
Local people telephoned by AFP from the provincial capital Goma said fighting was underway on Masisi and Rutshuru territory, northwest of the provincial capital.