DRC: M23 Captures Kalehe Centre and Ihusi

By The Inspirer.

The M23 rebels have taken control of the commercial area of Kalehe Centre and Ihusi, located about 70 kilometers north of Bukavu in South Kivu province, according to reports from Congolese media.

On Wednesday, the Congolese army in the region announced that M23 had violated the ceasefire requested during the Dar es Salaam summit by attacking military positions in Kalehe Centre and Ihusi. The army stated that these attacks led to the deaths of many civilians.

M23 has not yet commented on the government army’s claims.

One of the leaders of civil society in the area reported that since Wednesday evening, Kalehe Centre, the main town of Kalehe territory, has been under the control of M23 fighters.

Speaking to the BBC, he said, “We are here; some have fled, while others have stayed. We are afraid, but we were prepared for this, considering what happened in Minova and other parts of our territory.”

The Congolese news outlet Actualités reported that heavy fighting took place in Kalehe Centre and Ihusi on Wednesday, leading to the retreat of government forces in the afternoon.

Later, videos emerged showing some M23 fighters at the Kalehe territorial administration offices. Reports also suggest that they now control the town’s port on Lake Kivu.

The clashes, which began on Tuesday and intensified on Wednesday, forced residents to flee in different directions. Some sought refuge on various islands in Lake Kivu, including the large Idjwi Island, while others fled south towards Bukavu, according to a member of Kalehe’s civil society.

Congolese media also report that government forces, in collaboration with the Burundian army, have established strongholds in Katana and Kavumu, a small town with an airport located just over 30 kilometers from Kalehe Centre.

BBC News.