APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Intense fighting erupted between government forces and M23 rebels in north Kivu province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Monday where insurgents claim recapturing several strategic villages from Government forces.
The renewed fighting follows both sides repeatedly blaming the other for violating the ceasefire deal after a militia coalition under their umbrella Wazalendo (patriotic) have claimed the overthrow of 21 villages as fighting between them and M23 rebels intensifies in North Kivu province.
Early Friday, Jules Mulumba, spokesperson of the Wazalendo which is in coalition of Rwandan Hutu rebels of FDLR released a statement claiming that the coalition has conquered several villages and that the group is determined to launch an assault on all other positions occupied by 23 rebels.
Commenting on the latest fighting, Lt Col Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, Spokesperson for North Kivu province reiterated that Government forces are not involved in the fight, while accusing M23 rebels of firing two mortar bombs on FARDC positions in Kibumba village.
According to local residents contacted by APA , a precarious calm is currently observed in the city of Kitshanga (North Kivu) which is still under the control of M23 rebels.
According to M23 rebel spokesperson, Maj. Willy Ngom the government coalition has been in disarray since Sunday, in Kitshanga, Burungu and elsewhere where the enemy is losing ground.
CU/abj/APA