Minembwe Under Heavy Tension: Kamikaze Drones Reportedly Used in Attacks Targeting Civilians
As the conflict continues to escalate in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) coalition has accused the Kinshasa government forces of carrying out intense military operations targeting civilians in Minembwe and its surrounding areas through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones.
This was announced by AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, who stated that from the early hours of Thursday, May 21, 2026, until the afternoon, FARDC forces, alongside Burundian troops as well as Wazalendo and FDLR armed groups, had continued launching heavy aerial attacks on civilian-populated areas in Minembwe.
According to AFC/M23, the attacks were conducted using KT-6 combat drones as well as kamikaze drones designed to self-destruct upon impact with their targets. The coalition claims that these attacks have created widespread fear among civilians and severely disrupted daily life in the area.
Lawrence Kanyuka stated that the operations were carefully coordinated and intended to intimidate the local population, accusing FARDC and its allies of employing warfare tactics that could have serious consequences for civilians.
He said:
“Since this Thursday morning up to now, the Kinshasa coalition forces have continued criminal acts of shelling and bombing Minembwe and its surrounding areas using KT-6 drones and kamikaze drones.”
AFC/M23 further claims that the attacks caused significant destruction to civilian property, including homes and livestock. In the Bidegu center, the coalition reported that at least 33 cattle were killed following the strikes, which it described as an attempt to destroy the local population’s economy and livelihoods.
Minembwe has long remained one of the most unstable areas in terms of security, frequently witnessing clashes involving various armed groups and Congolese government forces. In recent months, military confrontations between FARDC and MRDP-Twirwaneho — a group that claims to defend communities living in the Mulenge highlands — have intensified across the region.
Sources from the area indicate that many civilians continue to flee their homes due to fears of ongoing bombardments and the possibility of further escalation in fighting. Concerns are growing that if the military operations continue, the humanitarian and displacement crisis in Minembwe and nearby areas could worsen significantly.
In the statement released by Lawrence Kanyuka, AFC/M23 argued that the use of combat drones in civilian-populated areas amounts to excessive use of force and could constitute war crimes, particularly if military operations fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The coalition continues to call on the international community and humanitarian organizations to closely monitor the attacks and pressure the Congolese government to halt what it describes as operations targeting innocent civilians.
However, as of now, the Kinshasa government has not yet issued an official response regarding the allegations made public by AFC/M23, while clashes between the two sides continue to intensify across several parts of eastern DRC.