Kinshasa Deploys Warplanes and Helicopters in Ongoing Attacks on Banyamulenge Areas
As the international community continues to call on the parties involved in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to cease hostilities and pursue peaceful solutions, reports from Minembwe in South Kivu indicate that the Kinshasa government is continuing to reinforce its military operations in the region.
Since early Friday morning, May 15, 2026, sources close to the fighting have reported that the Congolese government deployed heavily armed military helicopters from the city of Kalemie to support ongoing attacks targeting Minembwe and its surrounding areas.
These helicopters join other heavy weapons that have reportedly been used in the offensive for some time, including combat drones, long-range heavy artillery, and Sukhoi-25 fighter jets, which have allegedly been carrying out bombardments in densely populated civilian areas.
Observers following developments in the region warn that the continued deployment of heavy military equipment in civilian-populated areas could further worsen the humanitarian situation and deepen insecurity among communities that have already endured years of conflict and violence.
The attacks are reported to involve a coalition of FARDC forces, Burundian troops, Wazalendo militias, and the FDLR armed group, whose members include individuals accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Residents of Minembwe and nearby areas say that instead of seeing peace initiatives or efforts aimed at ending the fighting, military operations continue to intensify day after day.
Sources from the area also report that shells continue to land near heavily populated locations, causing widespread fear among civilians. Many residents have reportedly fled their homes, seeking refuge in mountainous areas and other locations they believe to be relatively safer.
Security analysts monitoring the situation in South Kivu warn that the use of warplanes, drones, and heavy artillery in civilian areas could further escalate the conflict, particularly as the opposing sides continue trading accusations instead of prioritizing political dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
As civilians continue calling for peace and protection, serious concerns remain that the ongoing military buildup in Minembwe and surrounding areas may further destabilize the region and increase the number of civilians affected by the expanding conflict.
