Guns, Tanks and Wounded Men—This Battle Is Raging NOW
Joseph Kay is there as combat erupts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Fighting flared yesterday night, Aug. 21, after a month of calm around Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Negotiations continue between rebels from the M23 group and the DRC government in Kampala, but that hasn’t prevented bullets flying, tanks roaring and men falling wounded on the muddy field of battle.
The Forces Armees de la Republique Congolaise —the FARDC, or Congolese army—claimed it was attacked by M23 yesterday evening. Soldiers said the rebels shot a mortar into government territory.
M23 formed in April 2012 when many soldiers defected from the national army. The U.N. Group of Experts has documented previous support for M23 from Rwanda and Uganda, but recently found evidence only for“limited” support from Rwanda and no sign of ongoing support from Uganda. Last winter M23 briefly captured Goma. Fighting has been sporadic this year.
The FARDC said it is retaliating to reclaim three strategic hills in the foothills of the volcano Nyarogongo, where M23 holds strategic positions including mortars. Mortar fire was exchanged this morning.
This is the face of modern African warfare.
Subscribe to War is Boring: medium.com/feed/war-is-boring.