Fresh fighting around Minembwe has taken a dramatic turn following reports that an unidentified drone carried out a series of strikes against forces aligned with the Congolese government near Rwitsankuku, reportedly causing significant casualties and triggering panic among surviving troops.
The latest developments come as clashes continue between a coalition made up of FARDC troops, Burundian forces, Wazalendo fighters and FDLR elements on one side, and MRDP-Twirwaneho, a movement that says it is defending the security and rights of the Banyamulenge community, on the other.
According to local residents and sources familiar with the situation on the ground, combat has been steadily moving closer to Rwitsankuku, an area widely regarded as one of the most strategic military positions in the Minembwe highlands.
Despite the growing intensity of the conflict, sources indicate that the fighting has not yet fully entered the main military positions occupied by FARDC and its allies. Instead, battles are taking place on the outskirts of those positions following reports that MRDP-Twirwaneho captured the nearby areas of Ngezi and Mugisirita earlier in the day.
Observers following developments in the region say the loss of these locations has altered the battlefield dynamics because they are considered important for controlling movement and military logistics across several parts of Minembwe.
Particular attention has focused on reports involving an unidentified drone whose origin remains unknown. Sources claim the aircraft first launched strikes against a military camp in Rwitsankuku, causing severe disruption among forces stationed there.
Residents living near the area reported confusion and panic shortly after the attack, with some soldiers allegedly abandoning positions and fleeing amid fears of additional strikes.
The drone is also said to have targeted another group of government-aligned forces that had departed from an area known as Point Zéro and were moving toward the frontline to reinforce troops engaged in ongoing combat near Rwitsankuku.
Witness accounts suggest that the strikes inflicted heavy losses on the reinforcement column and forced many troops to scatter while attempting to avoid further attacks.
Neither military nor political authorities have publicly identified the operator of the drone. Nevertheless, its reported involvement has become one of the most closely watched aspects of the conflict as analysts seek to understand the changing nature of the battlefield in Minembwe.
Meanwhile, reports from the frontline indicate that MRDP-Twirwaneho continues to press toward additional positions held by opposing forces. Over recent days, fighting has spread across several areas of Minembwe as both sides attempt to secure strategically important locations.
No official casualty figures have been released regarding either the ground fighting or the reported drone strikes. However, local sources and security observers continue to describe the losses among pro-Kinshasa forces as potentially significant.
Military analysts note that if hostilities continue moving toward Rwitsankuku, the consequences could reshape the broader conflict across Minembwe. The area is considered a critical military hub due to its geographic position and its importance in coordinating operations across the region.
As both sides seek to strengthen their positions and gain momentum on the battlefield, civilians remain the most vulnerable to the consequences of a conflict that continues to expand in scope and intensity.
Attention is now focused on whether further advances will occur around Rwitsankuku, the extent of the reported damage, and the unanswered question surrounding the identity of the drone that has suddenly become a major factor in the ongoing fighting.
