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.

Faits rapportés

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.