WALUNGU, DRC – June 25, 2025: At least 17 civilians have been killed in a brutal assault by the M23 rebel group in the village of Munzinzi, located in Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) military reported on Monday.
In a statement seen by local and international media, the army said the attack took place Saturday evening at around 6:30 p.m., when armed fighters stormed the area, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.
“These killings appear to be a retaliatory strike by the M23 rebels after suffering heavy losses on the battlefield,” the army noted.
Villagers Flee, Tensions Rise
As the attackers opened fire, many residents fled to nearby military outposts for safety, sparking renewed panic in a region already overwhelmed by violence and displacement.
The M23 rebel group — once dormant — has in recent years intensified operations in North and South Kivu, forcing over 1.5 million people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
The attack in Munzinzi comes amid a worsening humanitarian emergency in eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to terrorize local populations despite peace efforts and joint military operations by the Congolese army and foreign allies.
According to a joint report by the UN and Human Rights Watch, M23 has been responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including massacres, kidnappings, and illegal taxation.
Regional, Global Response
The recent attack is likely to heighten pressure on the DRC government and regional stakeholders, including the East African Community (EAC) and African Union (AU), to rein in rebel activity.
Peacekeeping forces under MONUSCO — the UN mission in Congo — have struggled to contain rebel advances, and critics have called for a more robust international strategy.
