Heavy fighting erupts in Kazinga as AFC/M23 launches fresh offensive

Masisi, March 23, 2026 - Intense clashes broke out early Monday in Kazinga, a locality in the Osso Banyungu sector of Masisi territory, North Kivu, as AFC/M23 fighters launched a new offensive against Wazalendo positions. According to local security and community sources, the fighting began around 5:00 a.m., with heavy and light weapons used on both sides. Loud explosions were reported across nearby villages, triggering panic among residents, many of whom sought shelter as violence escalated. Kazinga, considered a strategic area, has in recent weeks been under the control of Wazalendo groups. The latest offensive is widely seen as an attempt by AFC/M23 to regain control of the locality amid shifting frontlines in the region. The renewed fighting highlights the ongoing volatility in Masisi territory, where clashes between AFC/M23 and pro-government forces, often backed by Wazalendo militias, continue to intensify. Civilians remain at high risk, with repeated cycles of displacement and insecurity affecting already vulnerable communities.