Multiple Drone Attacks Target Kisangani Airport, No Casualties

KISANGANI March 1, 2026 - Kisangani’s Bangboka International Airport in Tshopo province was targeted by a series of drone attacks on Sunday, March 1, but no casualties were reported. Local sources and provincial authorities told that the first drone was intercepted around 3:00 PM local time. Three additional “kamikaze” drones were neutralized by airport security between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Shrapnel caused minor damage to infrastructure, including broken windows, but the control tower remained operational. Some nearby residents temporarily evacuated as a precaution. The provincial government attributed the attacks to the AFC/M23 rebellion and Rwanda. The group had previously claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Bangboka Airport in late January. According to the Congolese research institute Ebuteli, the army employs Turkish TAI Anka drones and Chinese CH-4 combat drones. The recent attacks were reportedly carried out using Turkish Baykar Yiha-III drones, with additional drones possibly supplied by Estonian Threod Systems. This wave of drone incidents follows FARDC airstrikes in Masisi territory on February 24 that killed Willy Ngoma, AFC/M23 military spokesperson, and several other rebel members, underscoring the growing aerial dimension of the conflict in eastern DRC. The airport remains operational, and authorities continue to monitor the security situation closely.