Rwandan-backed M23 forces have seized the airport in Goma, DRC, after violent clashes resulting in over 100 deaths. This escalation threatens the Congolese army’s control in the region, leading to a humanitarian crisis with overwhelming casualties and widespread displacement. The international community has reacted with calls for ceasefire and intervention, amid fears of rekindled ethnic conflicts.
On Tuesday, an armed faction aligned with Rwandan forces captured the airport in Goma, a key city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This takeover followed three days of violent clashes resulting in over 100 fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries, severely pressuring the Congolese army, which has lost control over large areas in the area to the Tutsi-led M23 group and its Rwandan partners. The escalating conflict has led to a dire humanitarian situation and increasing civilian displacement in Goma, where continued street battles have rendered many areas uninhabitable.
The M23’s assault marks a severe escalation of violence in a region with a troubled history tied to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. As the group established dominance throughout central Goma, the local population faced horrific consequences, including casualties from shelling and gunfire in the streets. Humanitarian crises are surging, as medical facilities struggle to cope with an influx of victims from the fighting, leaving many patients without adequate care.
The situation in the eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, has been exacerbated by historical tensions stemming from the Rwandan genocide. The M23, a rebel group that emerged in late 2021, has exploited these tensions to gain territory, igniting deadly clashes with Congolese forces. The ongoing violence has resulted in widespread human suffering, with displaced civilians facing severe food shortages and healthcare failures as conflict disrupts everyday life. This region is also marked by ongoing accusations against Rwanda of intervention motivated by the exploitation of minerals in North Kivu province.
The capture of Goma’s airport by Rwandan-backed forces represents a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict within the DRC. The resulting humanitarian crisis and civilian dislocation reveal the dire consequences of protracted violence and regional instability. International bodies have urged restraint and called for direct negotiations to address the tensions, yet the potential for further escalation remains a significant concern as humanitarian and security conditions deteriorate further.
Original Source: www.wfxg.com
