14 civilians killed during drone and gunfire attacks in Masisi, DRC
Fighting between the AFC/M23 rebels, the Congolese army (FARDC), and Wazalendo militias has caused significant civilian casualties and displacement over the past four days in several localities of Masisi territory, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement released on Monday, 28 September 2026, the civil society group Forces Vives de Masisi reported multiple civilians killed or wounded, along with large-scale population movements. According to the organization, some civilians died in kamikaze drone attacks, while others were hit by stray bullets.
Télesphore Mithondeke, the group’s general rapporteur in Masisi, called for investigations to determine responsibility and urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law.
Specific incidents include:
- On the Kaleta-Bitoyi axis in the Ufamandu II grouping, a drone strike reportedly killed a woman and a child.
- Clashes on Saturday and Sunday on Kikonda hill near Nyabiondo left two women wounded by gunfire in Kahutu village, one of them pregnant.
- Fighting in Burungu, in the Bashali chiefdom, allegedly killed eight civilians.
The violence has disrupted schooling in several areas of Masisi territory and worsened the humanitarian situation through mass displacements.
Tensions remained high on Tuesday, 29 September, in parts of Masisi and neighboring Walikale territory following drone attacks reported on Monday and attributed by local sources to the AFC/M23.
In Botoyi (Masisi), local sources said at least four civilians were killed and another seriously wounded. In Pinga (Walikale), a school near the local airstrip was reportedly destroyed.
At the time of the original report, military authorities had not yet commented on the civil society accounts.