Three Killed in Goma Drone Strike as M23 Rebels Accuse Government
At least three people were killed in a drone attack in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, early on Wednesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the M23 rebel group. The strike occurred at approximately 4am in a residential neighbourhood of the city, which has been under M23 occupation since January 2025.
Rebel Group Condemns Attack and Points Finger at Kinshasa
Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance rebel group that includes M23, strongly condemned the attack and directly accused the Congolese government of orchestrating it. In a statement posted on X, Kanyuka declared, "A drone attack is currently being carried out against the city of Goma by the terrorist regime of Kinshasa, well beyond the front lines. This act of aggression constitutes an intolerable provocation targeting a densely populated urban area and deliberately endangering thousands of innocent civilians."
The government has not issued any comment regarding the attack, and no other party has claimed responsibility. Images circulating on social media depict emergency responders attempting to extinguish a fire on the upper floor of a two-storey house with significant roof damage, highlighting the destructive impact on civilian infrastructure.
Background of Conflict and Recent Escalations
Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and the largest city in eastern DRC, was the scene of deadly fighting in January 2025 when M23 rebels stormed the city in a bid to expand their territorial control in the region. That offensive resulted in up to 2,000 fatalities, underscoring the severe humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict.
The Rwanda-backed M23 is one of over 100 armed groups engaged in combat with Congolese forces in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The group asserts that its primary objective is to protect the interests of Congolese Tutsi and other minority communities, particularly against Hutu rebel factions that fled to the DRC after participating in the 1994 Rwandan genocide targeting Tutsis. M23 currently occupies extensive territories in eastern DRC and has established parallel administrative structures in the areas under its control.
Shifting Dynamics with Increased Drone Warfare
Wednesday's drone attack signals a notable shift in the conflict dynamics, marked by the growing utilisation of drone warfare by both sides. This incident follows a series of recent drone strikes that have intensified hostilities:
- Two weeks ago, a Congolese army drone attack in Rubaya, a key M23-controlled coltan mining town, killed the group's military spokesperson, Willy Ngoma, along with several other leaders.
- Last week, M23 claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting Kisangani airport in Tshopo province, further demonstrating the expanding reach of such tactics.
International Context and Peace Efforts
Despite a US-brokered peace agreement signed in December between the Congolese and Rwandan governments, fighting has persisted in the region. Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army and four of its senior officials, accusing them of "supporting, training, and fighting" alongside M23 rebels. This move reflects international concerns over external involvement in the conflict and the challenges to achieving a sustainable resolution.
The continued violence and the adoption of advanced military technologies like drones threaten to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, with civilian populations increasingly caught in the crossfire.
