Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: August 21, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 and Rwanda reportedly conducted a targeted airstrike using a Turkish-made medium-altitude long-endurance drone on a DRC coalition position in Fizi district in South Kivu. The UN conducted its first reconnaissance flights for ceasefire monitoring and verification in North Kivu. M23 launched a counteroffensive as heavy clashes with pro-Congolese government forces continued in Kalehe district in northern South Kivu. Heavy fighting between the two sides broke out in Walungu and Mwenga districts in South Kivu for the first time since May 2026.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 and Rwanda reportedly conducted a targeted airstrike using a Turkish-made medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone on a DRC coalition position in Fizi district in South Kivu. A Congolese army (FARDC) spokesperson accused M23 and Rwanda of using Turkish-made MALE TB2 attack drone to conduct a targeted strike with two separate projectiles on the Mwalu Hotel in Fizi on August 19.[1] Senior FARDC and Burundian army (FDNB) officials reportedly were staying at the hotel.[2] M23-aligned sources had claimed that the coalition began deploying thousands of additional troops to Fizi district south of Minembwe in early August in advance of another planned offensive.[3] The M23-aligned investigative outlet Great Lakes Eye claimed that ten military vehicles carrying FDNB troops crossed into Uvira via Bujumbura en route to Fizi and Baraka, south of Uvira along the RN5, followed by at least 10 trucks carrying private military contractors, military supplies, and one-way attack (OWA) drones in early August.[4] Great Lakes Eye claimed separately in early August that the Congolese government had moved more than 10,000 troops to the eastern DRC and were using a military camp in Kongolo district in Tanganyika province as a logistic base.[5] The FARDC had commissioned the first of several thousand newly formed special combat troops in late July, following an intensive training program reportedly led by Israeli advisers.[6] Erik Prince, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump with private security contracts with the Congolese government, had reportedly traveled to Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, to meet with Tshisekedi and senior Congolese and Burundian officials, possibly including the FDNB’s chief of staff, before proceeding to Bujumbura, where he allegedly met with the FDNB chief of staff and then crossed over into Uvira in mid-August.[7] M23-aligned sources claimed that the FDNB’s Deputy Commander of the Land Forces, Major General Elie Ndizigiye—known as Muzinga—and the FARDC’s 33rd Regional Commander, which oversees South Kivu and Maniema provinces, arrived in Fizi to oversee operations in South Kivu in mid-August.[8] M23-aligned media sources claimed that Muzinga was staying at the hotel.[9] Congolese-government aligned journalist Byobe Malenga cited local sources who said that the attack targeted “two high-ranking military officials” staying at the hotel.[10] M23-aligned journalist Steve Wembi cited local sources who claimed that the hotel served as a headquarters for the Wazalendo.[11] Congolese government-aligned media outlets claimed that M23 and Rwanda obtained information about the movements of the FARDC commander and Muzinga and called for Congolese government authorities to “track down infiltrators and traitors” who may be leaking sensitive information.[12]

Pro-Congolese government forces launched an offensive against M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters in the South Kivu highlands. Congolese government-aligned sources reported on social media that pro-Congolese government forces launched an offensive against M23-aligned Twirwaneho fighters and Red–Tabara militants in the Fizi highlands, concentrating operations on Nyaruhinga and Mukoko villages, around August 17.[13] M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed in statement on social media that DRC coalition forces conducted attacks on Nyaruhinga and Mukoko using 120 mm mortars and KT-6 drones on August 17.[14] Two M23-aligned media sources claimed on social media on August 18 that Twirwaneho captured Bijobo village near Lemera in the midlands in Uvira district—northwest of Minembwe—near the RN5 after clashes with pro-Congolese government forces.[15] Rwandan media claimed on August 19 that FARDC and FDNB forces erected checkpoints around Minembwe in an attempt to arrest M23 and Twirwaneho fighters.[16] Kanyuka accused DRC coalition forces of conducting attacks using KT-6 combat drones and 82mm mortars on several villages near Minembwe, including Nyaruhinga, Mukoko, and Rugezi, on August 20.[17] Rugezi is about 20 miles south of Minembwe on a rural road. Pro-Congolese government forces and media outlets claimed that DRC coalition forces shot down a shahed-type OWA drone with a Chinese-made engine in Runyengo village, which is near Mulima village, and repelled M23 attacks on their positions on August 20.[18] Mulima is near Point Zéro, an operationally significant hilltop, which is around 15 miles east of Minembwe on a local road. Twirwaneho’s spokesperson claimed on social media that Twirwaneho fighters repelled a DRC coalition attack at Rugezi and Point Zéro on August 21.[19] Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that DRC coalition forces continued conducting attacks around Minembwe using OWA and TK-6 drones on August 21.[20]

M23 launched a counteroffensive as heavy clashes with pro-Congolese government forces continued in Kalehe district in northern South Kivu. CTP reported previously that the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters launched an offensive and clashed with M23 in several areas in Kalehe district between August 7 and 13, capturing several villages, including Chambombo and Lumbishi around the Ziralo group in the Buhavu chiefdom, around August 12.[21] Chambombo is roughly 13 miles southwest of Numbi, a mineral trading center, on a local road. Lumbishi is between the Ziralo group and Numbi, about four miles south of Kashovu village in Masisi district in North Kivu. The FARDC claimed on August 14 that it retained control of Chambombo and Lumbishi, following clashes that took place on August 13.[22] Fighting reportedly continued around Kirwa village, which is on a line of advance toward Shanje—six miles south of Numbi on a local road—on August 14.[23] A pro-Rwandan intelligence source claimed on social media on August 14 that the FARDC had deployed an Israeli-trained unit known as “Elephant,” alongside FDLR and FDNB troops, to Kalehe.[24] Independent Congolese journalist Steve Mulindwa reported on social media on August 15 that M23 reinforced its positions significantly in Kalehe on August 14.[25] M23 then launched a counteroffensive around August 15.[26] Fighting continued in Buhavu on August 15, and M23-aligned sources claimed that the group recaptured at least five villages in Kalehe—Chambombo, Bukumba, Kalungu, Ngeramana, and Runengenge.[27] The Congolese government-aligned media outlet Tazama RDC and Congolese news outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 recaptured Lumbishi, Chambombo, and other nearby villages after clashes with Wazalendo on August 15.[28] Fighting and heavy bombings also took place in Katale, around five miles west of Lumbishi in Ziralo, on August 15.[29] Mulindwa reported that locals in at least four villages fled Ziralo en masse on August 16.[30] Fighting reportedly continued in multiple villages in the area on August 16, including Lumbishi, Chambombo, Shanje, and in Bunje, which is around five miles east of Tushunguti, the main town in Ziralo.[31] Clashes reportedly resumed in Katare, Tushunguti, Nyamugari, and Kivoka on August 17.[32] Katare is around 15 miles southwest of Katasomwa, and Nyamugari is west of the RN2, roughly 10 miles northeast of Katasomwa. Kanyuka claimed that DRC coalition forces, including FDNB troops, conducted attacks on M23 positions in those villages on August 17.[33] M23 then reportedly captured Kashobo, Katenderi, Kivocat, Matutira, Mutale, and Tushunguti villages on August 18.[34] Katenderi and Mutale are around four and two miles southwest of Tushunguti, respectively, and Matutira is around one mile west of Tushunguti. The entire Ziralo group came under M23 control by August 19, as the group reportedly captured Mianda, Charamba, and Lulere villages on August 19.[35] Charamba and Mianda are around two and three miles northwest of Tushunguti, respectively. One M23-aligned source claimed on social media on August 20 that General Bernard Byamungu, M23’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of Operations, including for operations in M23’s third defense zone covering South Kivu, was on the ground in Kalehe.[36]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 captured several towns after clashes with Wazalendo fighters in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that DRC coalition forces, including FDNB troops, conducted attacks using heavy artillery on M23 positions in Kawere village in Masisi, which is possibly located near the mining town of Rubaya, on August 14.[37] The Congolese news outlet Actualite.cd reported that the two sides clashed near Kalinga and Malumba villages on August 16.[38] Kalinga and Mulumba villages are reportedly in the Ufamandu group, which is in southern Masisi district on the border with South Kivu. Heavy clashes and bombings reportedly took place in several villages in the Ufamandu group, with the fighting concentrated around Remeka, Kashovu, Musimbira, Nyamiri villages on August 17.[39] Nyamiri is around 10 miles southwest of Ngungu, and Remeka is around 13 miles southwest of Rubaya on a local road. Actualite.cd reported separately that M23 captured several villages in Ufamandu, including Katuunda and Miko, on August 18.[40] Katuunda is roughly 27 miles southwest of Rubaya on a local road, and Miko is about five miles northwest of Tushunguti in Kalehe district. M23-aligned media sources reported that the group captured Remeka on August 20 and had recently captured other villages in Ufamandu, including Kashukano and Miano.[41] Kashukano and Miano are around six and eight miles southwest of Ngungu, respectively. The M23-aligned media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that the two sides continued to clash near Katuunda on August 21.[42]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters along the RP1030 near the border between Masisi and Walikale districts in North Kivu. Actualite.cd reported that M23 shelled FARDC and Wazalendo positions near Minjenje on August 15.[43] Minjenje is around 15 miles east of Pinga town on the RP1030. Actualite.cd reported separately that the two sides clashed near Nkingwe on August 19.[44] Nkingwe is reportedly in the Bashali Mokoto group in Masisi district, which is roughly 15 miles southeast of Pinga on the RP1030. Wazalendos and M23 also reportedly clashed in Malemo, which is 16 miles east of Pinga on the RP1030, on August 19 and 20.[45]

An M23-affiliated group repelled a Wazalendo attack near the border between Walikale and Lubero districts in North Kivu. An M23-aligned self-defense group reportedly repelled a Wazalendo attack on positions near Kanune.[46] Kanune is around 15 miles northeast of Mpeti in a remote forested area in the Ikobo group in Walikale.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Heavy fighting broke out in Walungu and Mwenga districts in South Kivu for the first time since May 2026. CTP reported in mid-May that M23 had clashed with the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters in northern Mwenga district in Luntukulu village in the Luindi chiefdom in northern Mwenga.[47] The Luindi chiefdom is on the northern end of the Itombwe Mountains and borders the RN5 to the east in northern Mwenga. Luntukulu is about 10 miles south of Nzibira in Walungu district on a local road. Radio Maendeleo reported that Wazalendos attacked M23 in Kaniola village, which is about six miles west of Walungu town and 21 miles north of Luntukulu on local roads, in the Ngweshe chiefdom on August 13.[48] The two sides continued to clash in Kaniola and other nearby villages on August 14, according to Radio Maendeleo, and Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that DRC coalition forces conducted artillery attacks on Kaniola on August 14.[49] The FARDC claimed on August 14 that it had repelled an M23 attack in Igalama village in Kaniola and reinforced its positions.[50] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed that M23 conducted incursions in Izirangabo neigborhood in the Burhale group in Walungu on August 14.[51] The Burhale group is roughly nine miles south of Walungu town. Several Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on social media that Wazalendo fighters killed several M23-allied military personnel in the fighting in Kaniola, including “white mercenaries” and “snipers of Somali origin,” on August 14.[52] Steve Mulindwa reported on social media on August 15 that locals fled at least five villages, including Kaniola center, Chindubi, Mwirama, Nabishaka, and Chirwa after two days of fighting.[53] Mulindwa said separately on social media on August 15 that M23 still controlled Kaniola after a “short-lived” Wazalendo incursion.[54] Mulindwa said that M23 likely mounted a quick response because M23-appointed South Kivu governor Patrick Busu was present in central Walungu when the fighting broke out.[55] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on August 16 that M23 restricted civilian movements near Cindubi.[56] Fighting then broke out further south in M23-controlled Luntukulu around August 20, with pro-Congolese government forces likely initiating the engagements and possibly setting an ambush in the area.[57] Two Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media that Wazalendo fighters killed a “Rwandan” colonel who was overseeing operations in the Walungu highlands.[58] Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media on August 21 that DRC coalition forces attacked and killed civilians in the fighting in Luntukulu.[59]

Major Political Developments

The UN conducted its first reconnaissance flights for ceasefire monitoring and verification in North Kivu. Three helicopters from the UN mission to the DRC (MONUSCO) carrying 17 crew members reportedly arrived at the Goma airport on August 15.[60] A MONUSCO helicopter then reportedly flew over the Osso Banyungu and Katoyi sectors in Masisi district, where heavy fighting has taken place in recent days, on August 19.[61]

Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye visited Kinshasa for his second trip since late June. Ndayishimiye arrived in Kinshasa for a brief visit on August 20 to attend a graduation ceremony for a national security and higher education institution and then meet with DRC President Félix Tshiskedi.[62] Ndayishimiye previously traveled to Kinshasa for a two-day state visit in late June.[63]

M23 claimed that it finished training over 800 new parallel administration officials. The group announced that it finished ideological training for what it claimed was 823 “grassroots cadres” at a training center in Rutshuru district in North Kivu on August 20.[64] This is the fifth round of training M23 has finished for new parallel administration officials since late April 2026.[65]

The Congolese government and M23 convened for another round of talks in Switzerland. The two sides reportedly sent delegations for a new round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland that began around August 17.[66]