Burundian Warplanes and Drones Target Banyamulenge in South Kivu

Kigali, December 13, 2025 - The AFC/M23 coalition fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that Burundian warplanes and drones launched new attacks on Banyamulenge communities in South Kivu province. According to AFC/M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka, the strikes occurred in the early hours of December 13, 2025, with Burundian troops directly involved.

Kanyuka said: “Sukhoi-25 warplanes, combat helicopters, and military drones operating from Burundian territory indiscriminately attacked the Banyamulenge villages of Mikenke and Rwitsankuku, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

The AFC/M23 coalition condemned the attacks, stating they targeted civilians, killed women and children, and amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On the morning of December 12, 2025, a Sukhoi-25 fighter jet also attacked a Banyamulenge refugee camp in the Mikenke area.

Politician Moïse Nyarugabo attributed the attacks on civilians to the continued battlefield defeats of DRC and Burundian forces, following their loss of large parts of the Rusizi Valley in the past two weeks.