Democratic republic of Kongo. The rebels took the city of Kitshanga
Rebels affiliated with the March 23 Movement took over the 60,000-strong city of Kitshanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The military announced its “tactical retreat” from the city. The DRC army and the M23 movement have been fighting in the east of the country for months.
The rebels occupied the city late on Thursday evening, after capturing several villages on the road connecting Kitshanga with Goma, the provincial capital of over a million people.
The DRC army said it had withdrawn from the city to protect the civilian population from renewed unrest caused by the rebel offensive.
Residents of Kitshanga confirmed to AFP journalists the presence of rebels in the city. They also reported that the militants are now heading towards Walikale.
The Walikale region, one of six in North Kivu province, is rich in minerals including cobalt, gold and tin.
March 23 Movement
The March 23 Movement, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army or M23, is a rebel organization composed of army deserters who are members of the Tutsi tribe. It was founded in 2012 and then launched a rebellion against the DRC authorities. She was supported by a neighbor Rwandabut when the country abandoned its support, it was broken up by the Intervention Brigade UN and the Congolese army, as a result of which in 2013 it announced the end of hostilities and demobilization.
The group’s activities became active at the end of 2021 and since then it has occupied some territories north of Goma, on the border with Rwanda.
Main photo source: East News
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