At least three people were killed in a drone attack in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, early on Wednesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the M23 rebel group. The incident occurred at approximately 4 a.m. in a residential neighborhood of the city, which has been under M23 occupation since January 2025.
Rebel Group Condemns Attack
Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson of the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, strongly condemned the attack and directly accused the government of being responsible. In a statement posted on X, he said, "A drone attack is currently being carried out against the city of Goma by the terrorist regime of Kinshasa, well beyond the front lines. This act of aggression constitutes an intolerable provocation targeting a densely populated urban area and deliberately endangering thousands of innocent civilians."
The government has not yet issued any comment on the attack, and no other party has claimed responsibility. Images circulating on social media show emergency responders attempting to extinguish a fire on the upper floor of a two-story house with significant roof damage.
Background of the Conflict
Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and the largest city in eastern DRC, has been a focal point of intense conflict. In January of last year, deadly fighting erupted when M23 rebels stormed the city, resulting in up to 2,000 casualties as they sought to expand their territorial control in the region.
The Rwanda-backed M23 is one of over 100 armed groups operating in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The group asserts that its primary objective is to protect the interests of Congolese Tutsi and other minority communities, particularly against Hutu rebel factions that fled to the DRC after participating in the 1994 Rwanda genocide targeting Tutsis.
Currently, M23 occupies extensive areas of eastern DRC and has established parallel administrative structures in the territories it controls. Despite a U.S.-brokered peace agreement signed in December between the Congolese and Rwandan governments, hostilities have persisted in the region.
Escalating Drone Warfare
Wednesday's drone attack underscores a significant shift in the conflict dynamics, marked by the increasing utilization of drone warfare by both sides. Just two weeks ago, a Congolese army drone strike in Rubaya, a key M23-controlled coltan mining town, resulted in the death of the group's military spokesperson, Willy Ngoma, along with several other leaders.
Additionally, last week, M23 claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting Kisangani airport in Tshopo province, further highlighting the escalating use of this technology in the conflict. The recent U.S. sanctions imposed on the Rwandan army and four senior officials, accusing them of supporting and fighting alongside M23, add another layer of complexity to the ongoing tensions.
The situation in Goma remains volatile, with the drone attack raising concerns about civilian safety and the potential for further escalation in one of Africa's most protracted conflicts.
