Security concerns continue to escalate in the city of Nyanzale, located in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu, where renewed fighting broke out on Sunday, June 22, in the afternoon, between Wazalendo fighters and AFC-M23 rebels. This violence abruptly disrupted the calm that had prevailed earlier that morning.
Gunfire rang out across the city, causing panic among the population. According to information reported by Radio Okapi, civilians who had only recently returned to their homes in Nyanzale after a period of displacement locked themselves inside, fearing the clashes would intensify.
Witnesses reported that the fighting occurred near areas held by Wazalendo (VDP) fighters, while M23 rebels continued their attempts to capture the nearby village of Kiyeye, in the Kihondo groupement.
Earlier in the morning, Wazalendo fighters from the CMC faction had released a statement condemning a bombing that allegedly targeted several towns—Nyarubande, Burambo, Muhanga, Kihondo center, and Kiyeye—on Saturday.
They stated their intention to quickly retaliate against what they described as acts of provocation. Meanwhile, additional fighting reportedly broke out near Katsiru between M23 rebels and Wazalendo forces.
