Residents of Minembwe and surrounding areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo woke up to renewed fear on Friday, May 15, 2026, following intense military attacks reportedly carried out by Congolese government forces.
According to information from the area, several military helicopters loaded with heavy explosives were deployed from Kalemie early in the morning to reinforce ongoing operations targeting Minembwe and nearby localities.
The latest offensive adds to an already expanding military campaign involving armed drones, heavy artillery systems, and Sukhoi-25 fighter jets that have repeatedly been reported in operations across the mountainous region of Minembwe.
Local residents described hearing continuous explosions and gunfire from the early hours of the day, forcing many civilians to flee their homes while others sought refuge in remote hills and isolated areas believed to offer limited safety from the fighting.
In a statement released by AFC/M23, the movement accused the Kinshasa government of pursuing what it called a deliberate campaign aimed at “wiping Minembwe off the map and exterminating its population.”
The statement further alleged that Congolese authorities believe they will continue receiving protection from certain members of the international community despite accusations of attacks against civilians.
AFC/M23 stated: “These large-scale military attacks confirm that the Kinshasa regime seeks to erase Minembwe from the map and exterminate its population, believing it will be shielded by some countries within the international community.”
The movement also criticized what it described as international silence regarding the worsening security crisis in Minembwe and other Banyamulenge-inhabited areas, arguing that the lack of accountability has encouraged further military operations against civilians.
According to AFC/M23, “this culture of impunity, fueled by external complicity and international silence, continues to embolden Kinshasa to carry out operations that kill innocent civilians.”
The attacks come amid growing instability in eastern Congo, particularly in South Kivu Province and the Minembwe region, where clashes involving government forces and various armed groups continue to intensify.
For years, Minembwe has remained at the center of recurring violence marked by deadly attacks, destruction of villages, mass displacement, and ethnic tensions linked to land and identity disputes. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the humanitarian situation facing civilians trapped between rival armed actors.
AFC/M23 reiterated that it remains “fully committed to protecting civilians by every possible means.”
As military activity escalates across the region, many residents fear the humanitarian consequences could worsen, especially for children, women, and elderly civilians who continue to bear the heaviest burden of the prolonged conflict in eastern Congo.
