The M23 rebels conquered the city of Minova (Kalehe territory) in South Kivu on Monday, January 20, after intense fighting on the last hills of the Masisi territory in neighboring North Kivu. Minova is the first major entity in South Kivu to be occupied by the M23.
According to intelligence information collected by our agent on mission in the area, the rebels entered Minova in the evening. This Tuesday morning, they deployed in several places in the city and its surroundings to consolidate their presence.
"They have already taken all the positions formerly occupied by the FARDC and the wazalendo, where there were support weapons like Katale, Katyazo and all the hills overlooking Minova to have control over Lake Kivu. They have also gone around Kasunyu, a route that opens towards Goma and Rwanda", explained the local civilians who talked to our agent.
According to our agent, the rebels are heading towards Kalungu, 7 kilometers from Minova with the option of reaching Nyabibwe where there are mining sites. This axis also leads to Kavumu where the airport is located.
In Minova as everywhere else where they have conquered entities, the M23 rebels held a meeting this morning. "They said that schools will be able to open in 48 hours, promised that the RN2 Minova-Bweremana-Sake-Goma will be reopened", indicates our agent who attended the meeting.
The arrival of the M23 in Minova is not without consequences. Since Monday, the prices of basic necessities have increased. Thousands of displaced people from Masisi who were already living in the area have had to flee again.
"There are families of displaced people who were identified, more than 700,000 since last February in the Buzi group from Masisi, Rutshuru, and those receiving Minova are all becoming displaced people and heading towards Goma via Kitembo and Nzulo. Hunger could affect a large number of people," alerted the humanitarians in the area.
The M23 has been trying to break through South Kivu for several days. After months of clashes with the army and the Wazalendo militia, the rebels managed to conquer the mining town of Lumbishi in South Kivu last weekend. The m23 have already taken kalungu.Currently, the fighting is getting to nyabibwe an the FARDC apparently demoralized are beginning to vacate nyabibwe.
According to our other agents around the borders ,none knows the next move the M23 is going to take or which town or entity they will attack and take over.But reality on the ground reveals increasing reinforcements in both human and war materials .
Comments
Post a Comment