DR Congo Army Recaptures Territory From M23 Rebels
The DR Congo’s army put up stiff resistance to seize Bunagana in the North Kivu province from the M23 rebels who had taken control of the area.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national army, FARDC, has recaptured Bunagana situated in the Jomba tribal group of Rutshuru in North Kivu, from rebels of the March 23 (M23) movement.
HumAngle learnt that the army recorded this feat on the morning of Monday, June 13.
The FARDC has regained total control of Bunagana on the border with Uganda and several residents of the locality who had fled from their homes have been urged by the army to return to their houses.
“It is evident the population had abandoned Bunagana, which is a normal reflex when bullets are flying all over the place but I assure you that Bunagana is under the control of the FARDC,” said Lt.-Col. Njike Kaiko Guillame, spokesperson of the North Kivu Sokola 2 sector.
“Rwanda and their M23 allies do not respect international humanitarian law. They throw all kinds of bombs even on the civilian population, and all over Bunagana. So it is very important for our population to stay away from where the bombs are falling.”
The FARDC had on Sunday, June 12, repelled an attack by M23 and their Rwandan allies.
The rebels had attempted attacking FARDC positions in Kigega 1 and Kigega 2 in the hinterland of Bunagana. They also tried to cut the liaison between the FARDC forces on the Rutshuru-Bunagana highway toward a point commonly called Premidis.
“The FARDC behaved professionally by repulsing this attempt to cut the liaison, and also pushed back the enemy from positions in Kigega 1 and Kigega 2. The enemy has withdrawn towards Chanzu and Runyonyi where they continue to face pressure from FARDC,” Lt.-Col. Njike said.
The FARDC has during these operations benefitted from the support of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) forces.
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