Clashes between the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, are continuing this Friday, January 24 on two different fronts around the city of Goma (North Kivu), notably on the Kibumba axis, in the Nyiragongo territory, and on the Sake axis, in Masisi.
According to some sources, the Congolese army and its allies are trying to push back the rebels who are in the city of Sake and to counter their advance towards the Kibumba area.
Since 8 a.m. local time, witnesses claim to have heard detonations of heavy and light weapons, notably on the Sake axis, in Masisi territory and on the Kanyamahoro-Kibumba axis, in Nyiragongo territory.
These detonations, which continue on this axis, are exacerbating panic in the city of Goma.
As for Sake, several sources indicate that the city, including the village of Mubambiro, was occupied by M23 rebels until Friday morning.
According to these sources, the army and its allies are trying to counter the advance of these rebels towards Goma by passing through the Virunga National Park via the north of the Nzulo locality.
On the other front, violent clashes are also continuing on the Kibumba axis where, since early Friday, the M23 has been attempting another breakthrough towards Goma. But they are being prevented from doing so by the Congolese army, report sources in the region.
The day before, the front line of the Sake axis was defended by the FARDC and allies including the Wazalendo, the SAMIDRC Regional Force and MONUSCO peacekeepers.
Since Thursday, January 23, MONUSCO has reactivated Operation Springbok, launched several months ago to protect the city of Goma, jointly with the FARDC.
Also on Thursday, detonations of heavy weapons were heard in this northern part of the Nyiragongo territory. A bomb dropped by the rebels fell in a village in the Muja group, causing the death of at least two civilians.
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