MASISI TERRITORY, DR Congo — Eastern Congo saw a sharp escalation in fighting after Willy Ngoma, a senior spokesperson for the M23 rebel movement, was reportedly killed in a pre-dawn drone strike targeting a convoy near the mineral-rich town of Rubaya.
Sources close to the rebels said the strike occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m., destroying at least one vehicle and killing several fighters. Among the reported casualties was the group’s military communications chief, described as a key figure in shaping M23’s public messaging and strategic communications.
Residents in nearby communities said the explosion reverberated across the hills of Masisi, sparking panic and confusion. Security was tightened through the morning, with restricted movement reported in surrounding villages.
Military analysts say the operation signals an increased reliance on unmanned aerial systems by Congolese government forces in their campaign against armed groups operating in North Kivu province. In recent months, aerial surveillance and precision strikes have become more frequent in contested areas.
Rubaya remains strategically significant because of its coltan deposits, a mineral used in electronic manufacturing and a major source of revenue for armed actors. Control of the area has shifted repeatedly amid heavy clashes.
The reported strike comes at a sensitive time for regional diplomacy. Efforts to de-escalate tensions in eastern Congo have struggled to gain traction, as fighting persists despite calls for restraint.
Security experts caution that the loss of a senior leader can either disrupt a rebel movement’s operations or trigger retaliatory offensives, depending on how command structures respond. For now, the situation in Masisi Territory remains volatile, with civilians once again caught in the crossfire.
