M23 Escalates Pressure; Conflict Map Expands in Eastern DRC

The M23 coalition is escalating its pressure across several fronts in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, between the regions of Masisi and Walikale.

Meanwhile, the army in South Kivu province is attempting to reclaim positions in the highlands—the area where the UN verification mechanism has just completed its first mission.

The most active and dynamic front lies in North Kivu, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the area south-west of the town of Masisi.

In the Nyamaboko 1 settlement, M23 forces are engaged in major confrontations against the Walikale-aligned groups allied with the Congolese army.

After capturing the town of Ngololo, the movement seized the towns of Humora and Kasinja. This advance shifts military pressure toward the regions of Kiyumba and Langira in the adjacent Walikale territory—areas that have already received displaced families fleeing from Masisi, according to a report by Radio France Internationale.

A second conflict axis is emerging further south, specifically in Masisi itself; in the Ophamando 1 settlement, M23 forces control the areas of Miko, Kalita, and Remika.

Walikale-aligned groups are attempting to recapture some of these positions, located about 15 kilometers from Berekko—the first towns in the Walikale region along this axis.

Further north, within the Walikale region, the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Walikale-aligned groups are trying to push M23 forces out of Mount Chad, Kasumba Hill, and the village of Kasumba, while reports indicate reinforcements have arrived for the rebels in the Ihoula area.

Finally, east of the Walikale center, the M23 coalition is strengthening its positions in Kashiberi and Kipati, facing government forces stationed along the Mongazi-Kipwa axis.

Thus, the battlefield situation is marked by simultaneous pressure exerted by the M23 coalition on multiple locations within Walikale territory—not a single, continuous advance. The army and Walikale-aligned forces are launching counterattacks, while the control over many towns remains unstable.