A new wave of drone strikes has struck both rebel-held and government-controlled areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani, Tshopo province, hit by multiple explosions Sunday evening into early Monday morning.
Local authorities reported nine distinct blasts occurred during the overnight period. The attacks disrupted air travel, forcing the cancellation of two flights. As of Monday, no casualties have been reported, and officials stated that assessments of material damage to airport infrastructure remain ongoing.
This incident marks the fourth time Bangoka Airport has been targeted, according to official sources. Authorities suspect drone involvement and confirmed that investigations are now underway to determine the origin and responsibility for the strikes.
The attacks coincide with intensified fighting across eastern DRC. The AFC M23 movement has accused government forces of conducting drone strikes against its positions in North Kivu province. Specifically, the group cited attacks on locations including Rumangabo—home to the headquarters of Virunga National Park—the mining area of Rubaya in Masisi territory, and parts of Minova.
In a statement, the AFC M23 movement claimed that buildings were damaged and civilians killed in these separate incidents. The group has not provided independent verification of these casualties, and government forces have not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
The escalation underscores the fragile security situation in the resource-rich eastern regions of the DRC, where numerous armed groups operate amid longstanding political and ethnic tensions. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely as humanitarian concerns grow.
