M23 rebel drone attacks kill 18 civilians in eastern DRC

The United States imposed sanctions on Rwandan businessmen and companies alleged to fund the M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through illicit mineral trade. The Treasury named two individuals and four firms linked to mining and processing activities.

The Congolese army (FARDC) accused the RDF/AFC‑M23 coalition of conducting TB2 drone strikes on 4‑5 July 2026 in North‑ and South‑Kivu, targeting civilian areas such as Baraka and causing deaths and material damage. In the Fizi territory of South‑Kivu, coordinated drone attacks attributed to M23 killed at least 18 civilians, including women and children, destroyed schools and health centers, and forced hundreds to flee to towns like Baraka and Kananda.

Russian officials at the UN Security Council warned that the growing use of armed drones and the involvement of former Ukrainian war mercenaries aggravate the humanitarian situation, citing a March drone strike in Goma that killed an UNICEF worker. The conflict unfolds despite a December 2024 Washington peace agreement signed by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and a November 2024 Doha framework, both of which the parties accuse each other of violating. The fighting continues to be fueled by competition over the region’s mineral resources, drawing regional and international attention.