ISTANBUL

Four more South African soldiers were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, bringing the total number of peacekeepers killed to 17 as clashes with M23 rebels continued, media reports said on Tuesday.

The M23 rebels launched a mortar bomb attack on Goma Airport, killing three members of the South African National Defense Force on Monday, while another peacekeeper was killed in the fight with the rebels, South African Broadcasting Corporation said in its report.

⏩ Rioters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have stormed the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa, looting the premises

▪️The United Nations has consistently affirmed that thousands of Rwandan troops are backing the M23 group, indicating that Congo is facing an invasion from Rwanda pic.twitter.com/kjTUuORCiN

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 28, 2025

Since last week's rebel offensive in Goma, at least 17 peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community regional force and the UN mission in Congo have been killed.

Earlier reports from Goma city, which borders Rwanda, said at least 25 people were killed and 375 others were injured in clashes between Congolese government forces and rebels.

Congo and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebel group. Rwanda, however, denies the allegations.

🇨🇩 DR Congo: M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma is seen in Goma, accompanied by his guards

• M23 rebels have taken control of Goma International Airport, as reports indicate government soldiers have surrendered and sought refuge at the city’s UN base

• Several Western embassies… pic.twitter.com/qOJomAUCDG

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 28, 2025

M23 claims that it is defending the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, who say they are discriminated against for their ethnic ties to Rwanda's Tutsi community.

The latest casualties among the peacekeepers come as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone call with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on Monday night.

They discussed the ongoing developments in the eastern Congo and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of peacekeepers.

“The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict,” said a statement from Ramaphosa’s office.

🚨 Crisis deepens in DRC as conflict with M23 rebels escalates

•⁠ ⁠Nearly 250,000 people have been displaced since M23 seized key towns

•⁠ ⁠25 people and 17 UN peacekeepers killed, more than 400 injured during fights

•⁠ ⁠Congolese protesters gather around Western… pic.twitter.com/OwPA8eNYjW

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 28, 2025