By CHIMPREPORTS
The Congolese armed forces employed Sukhoi-25 warplanes to thwart the M23 rebels’ determined advance on the strategic city of Sake. This marks the second time in less than a fortnight that the rebels have been repelled in their attempts to seize Sake, a crucial point in the defense of Goma.
The confrontation began at 6:00 am when M23 launched a multi-pronged attack on Congolese armed forces’ positions along Mushaki road and in Malehe—approximately 8 kilometers from Sake. The M23’s plan, sources suggest, was to execute a Blitzkrieg (lightning war) to capture Sake by the end of the day.
In response, the Congolese forces deployed heavy artillery, but the rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, continued their advance towards Sake.
By 11:00 am, reports indicated that the rebels had reached Kimoka, just a few kilometers from Sake. Earlier, the rebels had accused Congolese forces of bombing their territories.
Around 3:00 pm, the Congolese forces unleashed multi-role combat aircraft, successfully neutralizing M23’s forward formations and preventing the guerrillas from capturing Sake. The Congolese forces (FARDC), supported by the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC), maintain air superiority over the guerrillas.
In recent months, FARDC has utilized drones for surveillance on rebel operations, providing coordinates to artillery units for heavy strikes on M23’s bases.
This marks the rebels’ second attempt to capture Sake. Last Wednesday, they tried but were met with FARDC’s long-range artillery. The intense fighting in Masisi territory has led thousands of Sake residents to flee to Goma.
The potential capture of Sake would be a significant setback for Congolese and United Nations forces, which have spent almost a year fortifying defenses for the town—a critical junction linking several roads to Goma.
In November 2023, MONUSCO Force Commander Brigadier General Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho ordered the establishment of defense systems to protect Sake and Goma from falling into M23’s hands. The rebels had been advancing towards the south along national road 2 (RN2) and provincial road 1030 towards Sake.
“We decided to establish a solid defense line at the entrance to Goma and Sake,” emphasized Otavio. He clarified that it was a defensive approach for now, but if illegal armed groups attempted to attack Sake and Goma, they would transition from a defensive to an offensive position.
Capturing Sake would choke off the Congolese armed forces’ supply routes to Goma. Locals fear that if Sake falls, Congolese forces will struggle to defend Goma, which sits on the border with Rwanda.
Last week, President Felix Tshisekedi dispatched Defense Minister Jean Pierre Bemba and army commander Gen Christian Tshiwewe to assess the Congolese forces’ readiness in defending Sake and Goma.
“We appeal to the people of North Kivu to remain calm and trust their armed forces in the defense of Sake and Goma,” stated Bemba upon arriving in Sake. He added, “President Tshisekedi is doing everything possible for the return of peace and the liberation of all areas under the occupation of the Rwandan army.”
Congo accuses Rwanda of aiding M23 rebels to destabilize the eastern part of the mineral-rich country for economic exploitation—a charge Kigali denies. In turn, Kigali accuses Congo of arming the FDLR militia group to commit atrocities against ethnic Tutsis in DRC and also to attack Rwanda. Kinshasa dismisses these accusations as false.
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