Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: November 14, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST  

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters conducted a ground offensive and captured several villages from M23 south of Masisi town in North Kivu. M23 recaptured several other villages south of Masisi town after redeploying troops to the area. M23 reportedly shot down two attack drones over Walungu district in South Kivu. M23-aligned militia fighters clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Uvira highlands in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

M23 repelled a pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighter attack in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 repelled the attack in Bukombo town, roughly ten miles northeast of Kitchanga town, in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on November 13.[i] M23 has clashed frequently with Wazalendo fighters in Bukombo in recent weeks.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 attacked Wazalendo fighters near the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 attacked Wazalendo positions in several villages on the edge of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park near the RN2 on November 13.[ii]

M23-aligned militia fighters clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Uvira highlands in South Kivu. M23-aligned Twirwaneho fighters reportedly clashed with Wazalendos in a village in the Bijombo group in the Bavira chiefdom in Uvira on November 14.[iii] The Bijombo group is in an isolated area to the west of the RP527 in the Uvira highlands. Twirwaneho fighters had clashed with pro-Congolese government forces to the south of Bavira along the RP527 near Minembwe town for several days in early November.[iv]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani  

The Congolese army (FARDC) and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters conducted a ground offensive and captured several villages from M23 south of Masisi town in North Kivu. FARDC and Wazalendo fighters reportedly recaptured at least four villages in the Osso Banyungu group—including Luke, which is about 13 miles south of Masisi—after two days of fighting on November 14.[v] The clashes in Osso Banyungu reportedly forced thousands of locals to flee toward Masisi town, Nyabiondo, and Kashebere near the RP529.[vi] Independent Congolese journalist Héritier Munyampfura cited a local source in Luke on November 14 who disputed that the villages fell to pro-Congolese government forces.[vii] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly bombed M23 positions in Osso Banyungu using heavy artillery for several days before ground forces recaptured the villages from M23, who retreated toward Kasopo village near the RP529.[viii] Pro-M23 sources had claimed on social media that M23 shot down an FARDC-operated attack drone in Masisi using anti-aircraft weaponry on November 11.[ix]

M23 recaptured several other villages south of Masisi after redeploying troops to the area. The group launched an offensive and recaptured Kazinga and at least four other villages from Wazalendo fighters about 17 miles southwest of Masisi on November 14 after redeploying troops from Masisi, Nyabiondo, and Kasopo.[x] Local sources said that M23 likely wants to capture an FARDC supply point near Kazinga used to transport troops and supplies to the area via helicopter.[xi] Wazalendo fighters had captured Kazinga from M23 on November 12.[xii]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

M23 reportedly shot down two attack drones over Walungu district in South Kivu. Pro-M23 sources claimed on social media that M23 shot down two CH-4 drones near Nzibira and Kibandamangobo villages on the RP503 on November 14.[xiii]

Major Political Developments  

Nothing significant to report.