Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: July 24, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 claimed that it trained and integrated over 9,000 new fighters into its ranks. M23-allied forces repelled a pro-Congolese government attempt to retake an operationally significant position in the South Kivu highlands. M23 and Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed in several areas near the Masisi district capital and the Masisi-Walikale border. More than 500 refugees voluntarily returned to Rwanda from the DRC.

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-allied forces repelled a pro-Congolese government attempt to capture an operationally significant position in the South Kivu highlands. CTP reported in early July that M23-aligned Twirwaneho militia fighters captured Point Zéro, an operationally significant hilltop around 15 miles east of Minembwe, on July 4.[1] CTP also reported that Twirwaneho fighters continued to capture villages in Fizi and Mwenga on July 13, but the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied Wazalendo fighters had recaptured one of the villages north of Minembwe town in Fizi on July 14.[2] M23-aligned Steve Wembi had reported in mid-July that the FARDC and its allies, including private military contractors, sent reinforcements to Nakiele village, about 17 miles east of Point Zéro on a local road, near the front line with Twirwaneho.[3] Twirwaneho and M23-aligned media sources claimed on social media on July 20 that pro-Congolese government forces deployed additional troops to South Kivu, specifically Fizi and Baraka towns.[4] Fighting reportedly broke out near Point Zéro on July 20 and 21, when pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks and attempted capture Point Zéro. Twirwaneho reportedly repelled the attempt, however, and captured two villages in the area, including Kanguli—about 13 miles from Point Zéro on a local road and four miles southwest of Nakiele—with minimal combat.[5] Local sources and two Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on social media on July 22 and 23 that Kanguli was still under the control of pro-Congolese government forces.[6] Twirwaneho also reportedly captured two villages to the west of Nakiele and Kanguli, including Lulimba—about 15 miles east of Nakiele on a local road.[7] The capture of Lulimba led one Congolese government-aligned media source to say on social media on July 22 that the FARDC and the Burundian army still controlled Lusenda town on Lake Tanganyika on the RN5, roughly 10 miles east of Lulimba.[8]

Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed with M23 north of Bukavu near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) in South Kivu. Congolese government-aligned journalist Daniel Michombero reported on social media that Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in Kabushwa on the outskirts of Katana and near the PNKB on July 20.[9]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 and Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed in several areas near the Masisi district capital and the Masisi-Walikale border. A Congolese government-aligned journalist claimed on social media on July 21 that Wazalendo fighters ambushed and killed an M23 officer near Muheto village in Masisi district.[10] Muheto is about 15 miles northeast of Masisi town on a local road. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported on July 21 that M23 recently reinforced positions near Kashebere and Kibati villages.[11] Kashebere is around eight miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529, and Kibati is around six miles west of Kashebere in Walikale district on the RP529. Actualite.cd reported on July 24 that M23 and Wazalendos had recently clashed near Nyabiondo and Kinyumba, which is three miles north of Nyabiondo.[12] Wazalendos reportedly attacked M23 positions in the Kanii and Rona neighborhoods of Masisi town before withdrawing from the area on July 23.[13]

Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly clashed with M23 near the border between North and South Kivu. CTP reported previously that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several areas in Masisi district in North Kivu and Kalehe district in South Kivu between July 11 and 15, and that Wazalendos reportedly captured Kasake and Lumbishi villages on July 11.[14] Kasake is about five miles southwest of Ngungu in Masisi district, and Lumbishi is in Kalehe district between the Ziralo group and Numbi, a mineral trading center, in South Kivu. Fighting reportedly resumed between the FARDC and Wazalendos and M23 near Kasake on July 20, triggering another large displacement of people.[15]

M23 reinforced its positions along the RP1030 in Walikale and Masisi districts in North Kivu. M23 reportedly reinforced its positions in Ihula and Malemo villages with additional fighters and ammunition on July 23.[16] Ihula is about 19 miles east of Mpeti in a remote area north of Kalembe on the RP1030, and Malemo is about 16 miles east of Pinga on the RP1030. The last reported clash on the RP1030 was on July 12.[17]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

M23 claimed that it trained and integrated over 9,000 new fighters into its ranks. M23 held a commissioning ceremony for what the group claimed were 9,318 “commandos” who had completed several months of training at M23’s main training facility in Tchanzu in Rutshuru, North Kivu and were integrated into its ranks on July 20.[18] CTP is unable to verify the claim of this figure. M23 previously commissioned at least four large-scale recruitment cycles in July 2025, September 2025, October 2025, and February 2026.[19]

More than 500 refugees voluntarily returned to Rwanda from the DRC. The Rwandan news outlet The New Times reported that Rwanda received 529 refugees from the DRC via border crossings in Rubavu and Rusizi districts in western Rwanda on July 22.[20] The repatriations took place after a June meeting between the DRC, Rwanda, and the UN in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the parties agreed to revamp efforts to resolve regional refugee issues.[21] The last reported repatriations were in May 2026.[22] Around 2,800 refugees have returned to Rwanda this year, and Rwanda and the DRC reportedly agreed to repatriate 10,000 refugees in the second half of 2026 in line with the Washington Accords.[23]

Significant US-Backed Regional Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.