Kinshasa: The military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday accused the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group of killing at least 17 civilians in an attack in the country's volatile eastern region. The army reported that the attack occurred on Saturday evening in the village of Munzinzi in Walungu Territory of South Kivu Province.
According to Ghana News Agency, M23 fighters stormed the village around 6:30 p.m. local time, killing at least 17 civilians and setting houses ablaze. Many residents fled to nearby military positions seeking safety. The military's statement suggested that the killings were likely in retaliation for recent battlefield losses suffered by the rebels.
The M23 is one of the most active armed groups in the region, having launched repeated offensives in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. These offensives have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
