Fizi: A Night of Heavy Attacks, FARDC and Allied Forces Reported to Have Suffered Losses, Kabanju Surrounded
MINEMBWE CAPITAL NEWS (MCN)
In the Fizi area of South Kivu Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), heavy attacks are reported to have taken place during the night of 23/09/2026. According to information from residents living in the affected areas, FARDC troops, FDNB forces, Wazalendo fighters and allied mercenaries are reported to have suffered significant losses.
The same reports indicate that some soldiers have gone missing and are said to have fled to unknown locations following the attacks. There are also reports that some senior officers from the Burundian army and mercenaries were killed in the attacks.
A source closely monitoring military activities in the region stated that FARDC forces and their allied mercenaries are reported to have suffered setbacks in areas located in Lulenge, in Fizi Territory.
According to the source, prior to the attacks, the mercenaries had assured the government in Kinshasa that the airspace stretching from Kalehe, Baraka, Uvira, Bijombo and Point Zéro to Fizi was sufficiently secure.
Losses Reported Among FARDC Forces and Their Allies
Reports indicate that the attacks that took place during the night of 23/09/2026 resulted in casualties among FARDC soldiers, Burundian forces, Wazalendo fighters, FDLR members and mercenaries.
However, as of now, no independent figures regarding the number of people killed or injured have been released, meaning that MCN cannot independently confirm the reported casualty figures.
The reports also mention the spokesperson for the mercenaries, as well as Colonel Justin Ndikuriyo of the Burundian Defence Forces (FDNB), who are both said to have sustained serious injuries during the attacks.
Kabanju Also Reported to Be Facing Changes
Another key area mentioned in the reports is Kabanju, an area considered strategically important for military operations in Fizi. According to the reports, MRDP-Twirwaneho has surrounded the area, amid claims that it could be captured at any moment.
Kabanju reportedly hosts major positions belonging to FARDC, Burundian forces and Wazalendo fighters.
Kabanju has repeatedly been an area of fighting between the opposing sides. Reports on military activities in Minembwe and Fizi in recent days have continued to identify Kabanju as one of the areas along the front line.
On 18/09/2026, reports published by regional media also referred to heavy fighting in areas including Mukoko, Nyaruhinga, Kabanju, Gipimo, Rugezi and Point Zéro, as FARDC, Burundian forces and Wazalendo fighters confronted Twirwaneho, in cooperation with M23.
