KIGALI, Rwanda

Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo intercepted four drones launched by the M23/AFC rebel group toward Kisangani Bangoka International Airport in northeastern Congo, officials said on Monday.

The incident in Tshopo province marks the latest escalation in the conflict between Congolese forces and M23 rebels.

Provincial Minister Claudine Atisadi said in a statement that the attacks were foiled between 3 pm and 7.48 pm local time on Sunday.

"Four of these drones were intercepted and shot down over the skies of Bangoka,” said Atisadi. “The provincial authorities vehemently condemn these cowardly and terrorist attacks.”

The provincial authorities said one of the drones crashed while a civilian aircraft was announcing its landing.

M23 rebels confirmed on Saturday that the Congolese army killed Willy Ngoma, the group's military spokesperson, in a drone attack in eastern Congo on Feb. 24.

The Congo River Alliance (AFC), a rebel coalition that includes M23 rebels, claimed responsibility for the previous attack on the Kisangani Bangoka International Airport in January.

The airport, located 17 kilometers (10 miles) from Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, is believed to house the headquarters of the government's General Staff of the Third Defense Zone.

The security situation in eastern Congo remained worrying last week following intensified fighting between the AFC/M23 and government forces, according to the government.

Despite an Angola-proposed ceasefire declared last month, effective Feb. 18, clashes intensified in the territory of Masisi, in North Kivu, displacing thousands of people from their homes.

There have been counteraccusations of ceasefire violations.

The Congolese army said in a statement on Monday that they "neutralized and captured several M23 rebels" following “multiple provocations and ceasefire violations” in eastern Congo.

During weekend clashes with M23-AFC rebels, the military said, it also regained control of several villages previously occupied by the rebels, including Mikenge, Kakenge, Kisirita, Bilalombila and Bidegu 1 localities in South Kivu’s Fizi territory.

The army claimed to have recovered significant military equipment that included anti-drone weapons, adding that the military remained “fully committed to protecting the sovereignty of the DRC and ensuring peace for its citizens.”

Earlier on Sunday, Lawrence Kanyuka, an M23 spokesperson, accused the army and pro-government fighters of launching “coordinated attacks” against their compatriots in Kakenke locality and its surroundings.

The Congo, the UN, and Western nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the group, which Kigali denies.