M23 rebels claim responsibility for drone attack on DR Congo airport

KIGALI, Rwanda

The Congo River Alliance (AFC), a rebel coalition group that includes M23 rebels, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for last week’s attack on Kisangani Bangoka International Airport in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The AFC/M23 informs the public that between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 it carried out the destruction of a military command center located at Kisangani Airport,” rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement.

“The center served as the primary hub for the planning, coordination and execution of deadly operations targeting civilian populations as well as AFC/M23 positions in the liberated areas, notably Masisi, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga, Minembwe.”

Kisangani Bangoka International Airport, located 17 km (10 miles) from the city of Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, is believed to host the headquarters of the government’s General Staff of the Third Defense Zone.

On Monday, the Congolese army said it had neutralized eight kamikaze drones targeting the airport, preventing potential damage to the facility.

Following the attack, provincial authorities in Tshopo blamed Rwanda and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, describing it as a “barbaric, unjust, and persistent aggression.”

DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebel group signed an agreement on Monday on the terms of reference for monitoring their ceasefire after talks in Doha as part of Qatar’s mediation efforts to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo.

The Congolese government, the United Nations, and other international actors accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

The rebel group, a central actor in the conflict in eastern DR Congo, controls significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which it seized earlier in 2025.

KIGALI, Rwanda

On Monday, the Congolese army said it had neutralized eight kamikaze drones targeting the airport, preventing potential damage to the facility.

Following the attack, provincial authorities in Tshopo blamed Rwanda and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, describing it as a “barbaric, unjust, and persistent aggression.”

The Congolese government, the United Nations, and other international actors accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23, an allegation Kigali denies.

The rebel group, a central actor in the conflict in eastern DR Congo, controls significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which it seized earlier in 2025.