By CHIMPREPORTS
The M23 rebel movement has faced heavy casualties in its attempts to capture the strategic town of Sake, located approximately 30 kilometers from Goma city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The rebels launched an offensive on Wednesday morning, deploying artillery and infantry units in an attempt to seize the town from Congolese armed forces and local militia groups. The Congolese army, backed by Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) forces, successfully defended Sake, inflicting significant losses on the M23 rebels. Hundreds of rebels were reportedly killed, and many others were captured by Congolese special forces.
Despite the initial setback, the M23 rebels launched another offensive with the aim of capturing Sake. Clashes were reported in Kingi and the Kamuronza settlement in Masisi territory. The DRC government accused the M23 of indiscriminate bombings, with the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) allegedly supporting the rebel coalition. The government condemned the bombings and praised the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) for the counter-offensive that brought serenity to Sake. The government urged the population to remain calm and vigilant while emphasizing its commitment to the Luanda road map, which calls for a ceasefire, withdrawal, disarmament, and cantonment of the M23, as well as the withdrawal of the Rwandan army from Congolese soil.
The capture of Sake by the M23 would have significant implications, impacting the supply routes of the Congolese armed forces to Goma. Goma, located on the border with Rwanda, is a critical city that the government is determined to defend. The deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the DRC prompted President Felix Tshisekedi to convene a National Security Council meeting to address military operational issues in North Kivu and ensure the defense of Goma.
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