Congo War Security Review, August 6, 2025

Data Cutoff: August 6, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 conducted an arrest operation against suspected pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Goma. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters on the RP1030 in northern Masisi. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. 

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 conducted an arrest operation against suspected pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Goma. Congolese media reported that M23 arrested around 60 suspected Wazalendo fighters during a cordon and search operation in the Mabanga South neighborhood in Goma on August 6.[i]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Kihondo group in Bwito on August 4.[ii] The Kihondo group is roughly two miles south of Nyanzale on the RP1030 in northern Bwito. The outlet reported that the two sides also clashed in an area between Katsiru and Mweso villages on the RP1030.[iii] M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants in Kihondo since late last week.[iv]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu. Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Buabo group near Masisi town on August 4 and August 5.[v] The Buabo group is roughly nine miles southwest of Masisi town.

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters on the RP1030 in northern Masisi. An independent Congolese journalist reported on social media that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kalembe village on the RP1030 in Masisi on August 5.[vi] Kalembe village is about 21 miles north of Kitchanga on the RP1030. M23 clashed previously with Wazalendo fighters in Kalembe on August 3 when Wazalendo fighters attacked several M23 positions in the village.[vii]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Nothing significant to report.