FARDC claims Neutralizing M23/RDF Fixed-Wing Military Drone (UAV) in MINEMBWE and Denounces Escalation Saturday, April 25, 2026,

According to OSINT collections and HUMINT reports ,the  Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) announced that they shot down a UAV belonging to the M23/RDF coalition in the northern highlands of Minembwe, in the Fizi territory of South Kivu province.

According to military sources, the aircraft was targeting positions held by the FARDC army in the village of Kakenge. It was intercepted and neutralized in mid-air before reaching its target, without causing any casualties or material damage.

In an official statement, Lieutenant Mbuyi Kalonji Reagan, spokesperson for Operation Sukola 2 South/South Kivu, denounced a "violation of international commitments," referring in particular to agreements governing the use of drones in conflict zones. The Congolese army accuses the M23/Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) coalition of using these devices in operations that have already caused civilian casualties, notably in the Mikenge area, known as "Point Zero," during recent incidents.

Furthermore, the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) claim to have captured a member of the Rwandan special forces during a counterattack in the same region of the Minembwe highlands, without providing further details on the circumstances of the capture. Faced with this situation, the Congolese army is attempting to reassure the public. She affirms her continued vigilance and determination to protect civilian populations and defend the country's territorial integrity against any form of aggression in this unstable part of eastern DRC. 

Complex equipments recovered from the ADF rebels

 A glimpse into the logistics of the ADF rebels in these images of a complex arsenal of equipment recovered by the Armed Forces of the DRC and the Ugandan army during the capture of an ADF/ISCAP camp near the Ituri River as part of joint Operation Shujaa.

We can see:

- An arsenal of weapons and ammunition,

- Several wires and pieces of shrapnel for making improvised explosive devices capable of causing more damage than conventional bombs,

- Flour mills to facilitate feeding the fighters and their dependents,

- Solar panels and generators for a continuous power supply in camps often located deep in the jungle,

- Chainsaws,

- Weighing equipment,

- Walkie-talkies,

- The bicycle wheel shown here can be used as a bellows to fan the flames for melting metals, a technique often used locally by blacksmiths...

- The two containers marked TNT appear to contain trinitrotoluene (TNT), an explosive used in various mixtures, notably in equal proportions with ammonium nitrate to form amatol. TNT is a common military and industrial explosive, valued for its high stability (low sensitivity to shock/friction) and ease of handling, particularly its melting point of 82°C.

The equipment in this photo reinforces the theory that, since their entrenchment in the forest, the ADF have always been supplied by an external network.

UPDF and FARDC flees 200 civilians from the hands of ADF

 More than 200 civilians freed from the hands of the ADF, the Ugandan army (UPDF) announced, adding that it is intensifying its military operations in eastern DRC in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

"The joint forces of the Ugandan People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have freed more than 200 civilians held captive following a major offensive against an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camp located along the Epulu River in eastern DRC. The camp was under the control of Ssebagala, a notorious ADF commander, also known as Mzee Mayor. During the operation, several ADF fighters were killed and a significant cache of weapons was recovered," the UPDF stated.

Addressing civilians freed in Mungamba, the commander of Operation Shujaa, Major General Stephen Mugerwa, stated that the joint forces remained committed to completely dismantling the ADF networks and restoring public order. He urged those freed to cooperate with the security forces.

“You are not in detention. You are victims of abduction, and we will ensure that you are handed over to the appropriate authorities so that you can be reunited with your families,” he added.

Among those rescued were a 14-year-old girl, the youngest, and a 19-year-old boy, the oldest. Many testified to appalling conditions of captivity, including lack of food, forced labor, and corporal punishment for disobedience. Several appeared frail, suffering from untreated illnesses such as malaria, respiratory infections, and physical exhaustion. Kasereka Ndina, aged 41, one of the survivors, expressed his gratitude to the joint forces for their rescue and support, saying it had revived his hope of returning home.

Internal Dissent Among Foreign Fighters in Al-Shabaab Leads to Arrests

Members of foreign fighters within Al-Shabaab have reportedly become increasingly discontent. Reliable sources indicate that a number of foreign fighters, primarily from Kenya and Tanzania, were detained after staging protests and refusing orders. They cited poor living conditions and a lack of basic care from the group’s leadership as the main reasons for their actions. Fighters within Al-Shabaab are said to receive monthly salaries ranging between $35 and $70.

Confirmed reports state that 23 individuals have been arrested, including three senior members who had previously operated in both Kenya and Somalia. The detainees were held in the towns of Jilib and Buale.

The individuals reportedly confronted Molaim Salmaan, a Kenyan national who was recently appointed to oversee Al-Shabaab operations in Kenya. In response, he deployed the Amniyat, the group’s internal security wing, to detain them.

There is also a growing trend of both foreign and Somali members defecting from Al-Shabaab, driven by harsh living conditions and what they describe as abuse of power by the group’s leadership.

The body of kenyan driver KILLED by ADF on beni-kisangani road has been repatriated to kenya

 According to my military intelligence sources inside bunia, the body of Kenyan driver Edwin Ngugi, killed by the ADF on the Beni-Kisangani road, has finally been recovered and repatriated to Kenya via the mortuary at Bunia General Hospital.

In the middle of is week I had received OSINT,HUMINT,CINT reports of various ADF attacks on RN 4 (and I know you read it in our summerised post)and for intelligence analysis reasons we did not do any full publication.

The abandonment of his body at the scene of the crime (on the side of National Route 4) had caused outrage in Kenya.

It our combined efforts that will end terrorism in the region and to all security bodies in East Africa,I warn that letting Uganda alone at the forefront of fighting ADF in DRC is totally getting un calculative.Today a Kenya driver is killed , tomorrow it will be a Burundian....etc ..thus let us team up and fight the ADF.I thus call upon all counterterrorism departments in the region to work together selflessly and closely 

....NE....

For God and my country..

US senior advisor on Arab and African affairs meets Tshisekedi

 It was Constructive meeting with President Tshisekedi covering a wide range of important bilateral issues, including regional stability, economic cooperation, and long-term development opportunities. He  welcomed the positive momentum from recent talks in Switzerland with M23 and emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue in advancing peace in the eastern DRC. There is a shared commitment to supporting efforts that foster security, strengthen institutions, and create greater economic opportunities. Continued collaboration will be key as we work together toward lasting stability and prosperity.

Butembo bans movement of all long vehicles termed "Box body"

According to our Intelligence sources in BUTEMBO,there is a Ban on all long vehicles  "Box Bodies" Effective April 19 at Midnight.

The Butembo city hall has announced a formal ban on the circulation of oversized container vehicles, known as "box bodies," throughout the entire city.

This measure, taken in accordance with a statement from the military governor of North Kivu, will take effect on April 19, 2026, at midnight.

According to these sources,No movement of these vehicles will be permitted, either entering or leaving the city. Authorities warn that any violator will be subject to legal penalties. They also emphasize that no official will be allowed to collectny fees relation to this measure.

.....NE.....