Fighting between M23 rebels and pro‑government militias has erupted in Nyabiondo, a village about 100 km north of Goma in eastern Congo, according to residents. The clash follows a recent deadly attack in the area that left many civilians dead.
Since the beginning of the year, the M23 group has seized large swaths of mineral‑rich territory in eastern Congo, expanding its control and influence.
An official from the local administrative authority reported that the rebels launched a large‑scale assault on Nyabiondo at 11 a.m., taking the village early Sunday.
A civil society rapporteur described the scene as chaotic, with shooting occurring from all directions in the town centre.
The current confrontation comes after clashes last week in Tambi, 18 km northeast of Masisi, where an overnight attack on March 5 resulted in significant civilian casualties.
Internal reports estimate that between 13 and 40 civilians were killed in that attack.
Separately, a spokesperson for the rebel alliance announced that one pro‑government militia had switched sides and joined the rebels.
The spokesperson added that the remaining members of the militia remained loyal to the government and its army.
M23 rebels claim they intend to seize power in the capital, Kinshasa, and accuse the government of failing to honour peace agreements and fully integrate Tutsi communities into the army and administration.
The group's expansion into new mineral‑rich regions provides it with additional opportunities to increase mining revenue.
The government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. Kigali, in turn, alleges that the government collaborates with a Hutu armed group linked to the 1994 genocide, a claim the government rejects.
The government designates the group as a terrorist organization, while international bodies classify it as an armed rebel group.
