ISTANBUL

A third group of South African peacekeepers deployed to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo arrived back home Monday, according to local media.

A plane carrying nearly 220 troops landed at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, the capital of Free State province.

The first group of 249 soldiers arrived from Tanzania on Friday, followed by a second group of 257 soldiers on Sunday, with a fourth group scheduled to return on Tuesday.

The troops were deployed under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in Congo. The 16-member bloc approved the deployment to eastern Congo in May 2023.

The SADC announced Thursday that it had begun the second and final phase of withdrawing its forces from eastern Congo after terminating the mission's mandate in early March.

The withdrawal process began in April, including the evacuation of equipment and logistical infrastructure.

Since December 2024, M23 rebels at the center of the conflict in eastern Congo have seized significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu in North and South Kivu, intensifying instability in a region long plagued by armed groups.

At least 20 peacekeepers -- including 14 South Africans -- were killed in clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces.

Despite ongoing peace efforts mediated by the emir of Qatar, clashes and heavy weapons fire have reportedly continued in Rutshuru territory in recent weeks.

The Congolese government accuses neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels fighting in eastern Congo, a claim Kigali denies.

According to DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, the violence has killed more than 7,000 people so far this year.

The UN reports that more than 7.8 million people have been displaced by the conflict.