From Sunday, fighting has continued between the Congolese army supported by the Wazalendo militia and the M23 rebels supported by the Rwandan army in the south of the Lubero territory (North Kivu). This Tuesday, the clashes are taking place in Matembe and Hutwe. But the rebels have not yet taken control of the town of Alimbongo, contrary to information circulating on social networks.
"The enemy has not been able to move from Matembe. The situation is under the control of the FARDC. Before taking Alimbongo, we must take Matembe. We are in Matembe, how will the enemy reach Alimbongo behind us?", reacted Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi, spokesman for the Congolese army in the area.
Information confirmed by the chief of Bamate chiefdom in which the locality of Alimbongo is located. According to Mwami Sondoli Mukosasenge, since the resumption of fighting on Sunday, the clashes have been taking place between Matembe and Kaseghe, an area located nearly 10 km from Alimbongo, in the neighboring chiefdom of Batangi.
On Tuesday morning to Mr. Kinono , a resident of Alimbongo, who confirmed that their village is entirely controlled by the Congolese army and that the M23 has been blocked near Matembe since Sunday.
"Currently (9:15 am), we are in Alimbongo. It is controlled by the FARDC. The front continues. We still hear gunfire coming from the front line. Those who come here tell us that the army is rather pushing the M23 towards Kaseghe, in the direction of Kirumba," reported this notable from Alimbongo.
Overflow reported in Hutwe
Residents report an attempt by rebels to overrun Hutwe, an entity located about twenty kilometers behind the main road where the fighting is taking place. Information confirmed by the Congolese army, which says it has control of the situation.
"Currently, there is also fighting in Hutwe. There is a river that separated us from the enemy in Hutwe. We blocked the road yesterday around 8 p.m. He was unable to advance. The enemy has withdrawn and is said to have headed towards the village of Kaseghe," added Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi.
Bomb damage
In Alimbongo, the chief of the Bamate chiefdom and the inhabitants report that bombs from the front line destroyed two houses in the village, without causing any human damage. A situation that is forcing the inhabitants to retreat towards Kitsombiro, in the direction of Lubero-centre.
These fights are relaunched while Kinshasa signed an agreement with Kigali under the aegis of Luanda for a ceasefire in force since last August. The M23 rebellion supported by Kigali says it is not concerned by these agreements and has, in the past weeks, reinforced its positions. Trucks filled with soldiers left Kanyabayonga for Kaseghe, causing concern among the inhabitants of South Lubero.
Video showing the special units soldiers in Kaseghe this evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment