Unknown Drone Carries Out Deadly Strike in Gipupu: Reports Indicate Heavy Casualties Among Burundian Troops, Wazalendo Fighters and FDLR; MRDP-Twirwaneho Reportedly Regains Control of the Area

MINEMBWE CAPITAL NEWS (MCN)

On the night of Thursday into Friday, reports emerging from Gipupu in Mwenga Territory, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), indicate that an unidentified drone carried out a major strike targeting positions occupied by Burundian troops alongside Wazalendo militias and FDLR fighters.

According to credible information obtained by Minembwe Capital News (MCN) from local residents, the attack inflicted significant losses on the forces stationed in the area, with numerous fatalities reportedly recorded. However, no official casualty figures have yet been confirmed by either government or military authorities.

One local resident who spoke to Minembwe Capital News (MCN) said:

“An extraordinary incident occurred overnight. A drone dropped explosives on a position where a large number of Burundian soldiers were stationed in Gipupu. Many of them were killed instantly.”

The resident further explained that Gipupu had been taken by MRDP-Twirwaneho last week, but the group later withdrew from the area without any fighting. This subsequently allowed Burundian troops, Wazalendo militias, and FDLR fighters to re-establish their presence before the overnight drone strike targeted their positions.

Another eyewitness described the attack as exceptionally intense.

“The drone strike in Gipupu last night was extremely devastating. Some people are saying that no Burundian soldier survived the attack, while others believe that the few who may have escaped fled into the forests toward Mwenga.”

These reports are still being gathered and independently verified. As of the time of publication, neither the Government of Burundi, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), nor any other relevant authorities had issued an official statement regarding the reported incident.

Residents in the area also told Minembwe Capital News (MCN) that MRDP-Twirwaneho is now reported to be in control of Gipupu and its surrounding areas after the forces previously stationed there withdrew following the drone strike.