Heavy Losses Reported This Morning in Clashes in Minembwe Involving FARDC, Burundian Forces, Wazalendo, and FDLR
Reports from Minembwe in South Kivu Province indicate that ongoing clashes involving the Congolese army (FARDC), the Burundian Defence Forces, the Wazalendo militia, and the FDLR, fighting against MRDP-Twirwaneho, have intensified. It is reported that the FARDC-led coalition has suffered significant losses in the areas linking Lundu and Bidegu, on Ruhinamavi hill.
Reliable sources contacted by Minembwe Capital News from the area state that heavy fighting took place last week in Lundu and Bidegu, during which FARDC and its allied forces reportedly lost a senior officer holding the rank of Colonel, who served as a sector commander.
According to local residents, one of the main reasons for the renewed escalation in Lundu was an operation launched by FARDC troops, together with Burundian forces, Wazalendo, and FDLR elements, to recover the body of the fallen sector commander, who is said to have been killed during clashes in Lundu last Friday.
The same sources further report that the body was later found in the Ruhinamavi area of Lundu, where renewed heavy fighting broke out this Wednesday morning as both sides engaged during the recovery operation.
One local resident told Minembwe Capital News:
“MRDP-Twirwaneho forces are heavily overpowering their opponents. They are currently pushing them out of Lundu towards Rubemba.”
Although independent verification of exact casualty figures remains difficult, multiple local sources and eyewitness accounts suggest that several FARDC soldiers and allied fighters were killed in the ongoing fighting in these areas. Unconfirmed reports also indicate that around nine fighters on the FARDC side and its allies may have been killed.
It is also reported that, at the time of writing, FARDC and its allied forces had already crossed into Rubemba, retreating toward Bicumbi.
Observers following the situation in Minembwe warn that the continued escalation of hostilities between the opposing sides could further endanger civilians, particularly in Lundu, Bidegu, and surrounding areas near Minembwe center, where many residents have fled their homes due to fear of gunfire and ongoing fighting.
Meanwhile, MRDP-Twirwaneho-aligned forces continue to claim that they maintain strong positions in these areas and are actively resisting attacks from government forces and their allies.
Minembwe Capital News will continue to follow developments closely and provide updates as the situation evolves.