KIGALI, Rwanda

A pro-government militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo claimed Monday to have killed around 50 members of the M23 rebel coalition and captured several during recent intense clashes.

The group known as Wazalendo said the clashes occurred between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22.

It said their fighters recaptured several localities in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Walikale in North Kivu province as well as in Fizi in South Kivu following clashes with the M23 rebel coalition.

According to a statement, on the Nkokwe/Masisi axis, the fighters recaptured positions including Mutuza, Kasasa, Nkokwe and Kanyaru, pushing back the enemy fighters more than 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from the key mining town of Rubaya.

The militia group also reported having recovered light and heavy weapons.

There was no immediate comment from the M23.

But earlier Monday, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused Kinshasa of “several ceasefire violations and carrying out relentless and indiscriminate bombardment of densely populated areas of Rumbishi.”

Local media, citing security sources, said the Wazalendo had also regained control of the towns of Kasenyi, Chugi and Kinigi in the Masisi territory near Rubaya.

The seized towns were considered strategic positions to the AFC/M23 coalition in this area because of their proximity to Rubaya, which the rebels seized in late April 2024.

Despite a ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels proposed by Angolan President Joao Lourenco earlier this month effective Feb. 18, new clashes intensified in recent days in eastern Congo, displacing thousands of people from their homes, according to civil society.

Last Friday, the Congolese military accused AFC/M23 rebels and Rwandan soldiers of attacking its positions in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in violation of the Angola-proposed ceasefire.

The M23 has been at the center of the conflict in eastern Congo. Since the rebel group resurfaced in late 2021, it has scored a series of battlefield victories, capturing several strategic towns in eastern provinces, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu seized early in 2025.

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