US EditionM23 rebel group holds a symbolic funeral for victims of drone strike in eastern Congo
M23 held a funeral for 22 civilians killed in a drone strike they attribute to Congolese forces amid ongoing peace talks and escalating conflict in eastern Congo.
- On Jan. 8, 2026, the AFC/M23 rebel group held a symbolic burial at Unity Stadium, Goma, for 22 victims of a drone strike earlier this month in Masisi territory, with families and officials present.
- M23 says the Jan. 2 strike targeted its military positions in the Masisi territory using so-called kamikaze drones and accuses the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Masisi General Hospital reported receiving 47 wounded with 14 still hospitalized, while Médicins Sans Frontières said 42 were injured and local insecurity blocked some evacuations.
- The government, through spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, said Thursday’s funeral was indecent and accused Rwanda and M23 of planning crimes, while MONUSCO called for an independent investigation.
- The humanitarian cost is high as more than 100 armed groups compete in eastern Congo, where M23 has grown to around 6,500 fighters and more than 7 million people are displaced.
8 Articles
8 Articles
M23 holds symbolic funeral for drone strike victims in Congo
The M23 rebel group held a symbolic burial Thursday for 22 people killed in a recent drone strike. The attack, which struck their military positions in Masisi on January 2, was claimed by M23 to be conducted by FARDC. M23 insists all victims were civilians, although experts suggest some could have been combatants killed during clashes. The Congolese government has not officially commented on the attack, but spokesperson Patrick Muyaya condemned …
AFC/M23 lays to rest 22 civilians killed in DR Congo drone attacks in Masisi
The AFC/M23 rebels on Thursday, January 8, buried and paid tribute to “innocent civilians cowardly massacred” during a series of drone attacks in North Kivu Province’s Masisi Territory, earlier this month. A ceremony to pay homage to the victims was held at Stade de l’Unité, the main stadium in Goma, the provincial capital, before their burial in Mubambiro, in Masisi Territory. ALSO READ: Masisi drone strike blamed on MONUSCO as death toll rises…
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