Kinshasa September 17th, 2026 (CPA). – The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have neutralized fourteen (14) soldiers from the Rwandan army and their M23 auxiliaries following three (3) days of fighting in Walikale, Rutshuru and Masisi, in Nord-Kivu, a province in the east of the country, according to a statement received on Thursday by the CPA.
“Three days of counter-attacks in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi and Walikale enabled the FARDC (VDP) coalition of volunteers for the defense of the homeland to neutralize 14 M23 RDF elements. Thirteen were wounded. Three (3) were captured and eight weapons were recovered, including one heavy weapon. Two VDP fighters fell in battle,” read in the statement signed by Major Dieudonne Kasereka, communications officer for the 34th Military Region.
According to the source, the Miko and Remeka hills in the center of the same province of Nord-Kivu have been recaptured on Tuesday September15th.
“The clashes are concentrated on Singati Hill on the border between the Ufamandu group in Masisi territory and Waloa Loanda in Walikale territory,” has specified the source.
Since the beginning of September, the statement continued, all positions held by the FARDC and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Walikale in Nord-Kivu, and Kalehe in Sud-Kivu, have been the targets of repeated attacks by M23 RDF elements. The army continues to respond fiercely to any threat.