Kinshasa: Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, according to United Nations and military officials. The clashes involve the M23 rebel group, which has been accused by the DRC and U.N. of receiving support from Rwanda—an allegation Kigali denies.
The M23, mainly composed of ethnic Tutsis, split from the DRC army over a decade ago. Rwanda denies aiding the rebels but admits to deploying troops in eastern DRC, citing security concerns and alleged Congolese troop buildups near its border.
Intense fighting has recently occurred along the road between Goma and Sake. On Saturday, the burned wreckage of a U.N. armored vehicle was spotted in the area, highlighting the risks faced by peacekeepers.
Two South African peacekeepers were killed on Friday, while a Uruguayan soldier, identified as Rodolfo Álvarez of the Uruguay IV Battalion, was killed on Saturday. Álvarez was reportedly assisting with the evacuation of personnel from Goma.
The United Nations in Malawi confirmed the deaths of three Malawian peacekeepers in the same region. South Africa’s Department of Defense also reported the loss of seven of its soldiers during recent clashes with the M23.
