DR Congo army claims shot down 2 drones belonging to Rwandan army, 'their allies'

ISTANBUL

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) on Tuesday claimed to have shot down two drones belonging to the Rwanda Defense Force and “their allies” after they entered Congolese airspace in eastern Congo.

The drones were downed in Mikenge “after they illegally violated Congolese airspace in the Minembwe area,” FARDC said on US social media company X.

“This act of aggression constitutes a new provocation and a violation of the Washington Accord,” it said, adding that the Congolese forces “remain vigilant, disciplined, and ready to defend” Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

M23 rebels advanced across several areas of the eastern province of South Kivu after an agreement Congo signed in Washington with Rwanda on Dec. 4.

The rebel group controls significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which it seized earlier in 2025.

The Congolese government, the UN, and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, an allegation Kigali denies.

The US sanctioned Rwanda’s military and four of its senior officers on March 2, accusing them of backing the M23.

In response, Kigali said it regretted the sanctions as “one-sided" and defended its military.