DRC Army Accused of Drone Strikes Targeting Civilians

Minembwe, DRC - February 2, 2026 - The armed group MRDP-Twirwaneho has accused the Congolese army (FARDC) of conducting intensive drone operations over Minembwe, claiming that more than 18 military drones were deployed in the area over a three-day period. According to Colonel Kamasa Ndakize Welcome, spokesperson for Twirwaneho, the drone flights occurred between January 30 and February 1, 2026, and allegedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and churches. “These attacks were carried out in densely populated areas, particularly in the Minembwe center, where many people had sought refuge after fleeing earlier violence involving a coalition of forces including the DRC army, Burundi, Wazalendo militias, and the FDLR,” Kamasa said. He further claimed that the air operations intensified in January 2026, following the withdrawal of AFC forces from Uvira, and alleged that the campaign forms part of a broader strategy by the Kinshasa government to target the Banyamulenge community. MRDP-Twirwaneho stated that it remains ready to resist what it described as actions aimed at the extermination of civilians by government forces.

Faits rapportés

Minembwe, DRC - February 2, 2026 - The armed group MRDP-Twirwaneho has accused the Congolese army (FARDC) of conducting intensive drone operations over Minembwe, claiming that more than 18 military drones were deployed in the area over a three-day period. According to Colonel Kamasa Ndakize Welcome, spokesperson for Twirwaneho, the drone flights occurred between January 30 and February 1, 2026, and allegedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and churches. “These attacks were carried out in densely populated areas, particularly in the Minembwe center, where many people had sought refuge after fleeing earlier violence involving a coalition of forces including the DRC army, Burundi, Wazalendo militias, and the FDLR,” Kamasa said. He further claimed that the air operations intensified in January 2026, following the withdrawal of AFC forces from Uvira, and alleged that the campaign forms part of a broader strategy by the Kinshasa government to target the Banyamulenge community. MRDP-Twirwaneho stated that it remains ready to resist what it described as actions aimed at the extermination of civilians by government forces.