DRC WAR: M23 Rebels Defeated in Bloody Battle for Sake
The rebels were pushed back to Bukarara and Kingi - about 15 kms from Sake
The M23 rebel movement has registered heavy casualties in its attempts to capture the strategic town of Sake, about 30 kilometres from Goma city in Eastern DRC.
ChimpReports has learned that M23 rebels on Wednesday morning launched a deadly offensive to capture Sake from Congolese armed forces and local militia groups.
The battle started around 5:30 am with M23 using artillery and infantry units in their assault.
However, the Congolese army, which is now backed by Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) forces, managed to put up a strong defence, sending the rebels into disarray.
Sources disclosed that hundreds of rebels were killed and many more captured by Congolese special forces.
The rebels were pushed back to Bukarara and Kingi – about 15 kms from Sake . Government forces also recovered dozens of machine guns and other heavy weaponry used by the rebels.
M23 today launched another offensive with the view of capturing Sake. The clashes are reported in Kingi, Kamuronza settlement in Masisi territory.
The Congolese government said after the failed attempt to occupy the city of Sake, M23 with support of Rwanda Defence Force, fired bombs in the city of Goma.
"The Congolese Government condemns the indiscriminate bombings of the RDF/M23 coalition and congratulates the FARDC for the consequent counter-offensive having brought serenity to Sake," said the DRC government in a statement on Wednesday night.
"The Government wishes to express all its solidarity and compassion to the populations affected by this additional act of aggression and terrorism constituting war crimes and serious violations of human rights which will never go unpunished. While using its legitimate right to defend its national territory, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo recalls that it remains committed to respecting the Luanda road map, which provides for the ceasefire, withdrawal, disarmament and cantonment of the M23 as well as the withdrawal of the Rwandan army from Congolese soil for the return of peace to this part of the country and stability in the sub-region," the statement added.
"The Government calls on the population to be calm, vigilant and reassures them that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain mobilised to defend civilian populations and safeguard the territorial integrity of the country."
The intense fighting compelled thousands of residents of Sake to flee to Goma.
Strategic
The capture of Sake would be a scandal for Congolese and United Nations forces which have spent almost a year building defences for the town which sits at a very critical junction linking several roads to Goma.
The MONUSCO Force Commander, Brigadier General Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho in November 2023 ordered the formation of defence systems to defend Sake and Goma from falling into M23's hands.
At the time, the rebels were advancing towards the south, along the national road 2 (RN2) and from provincial road 1030 towards Sake, a city which is intended to be an essential point in the defence of Goma.
"We decided, first of all, to establish a solid defence line at the entrance to Goma and Sake," said Otavio, emphasising, "This is a defensive approach for now, but if illegal armed groups try to attack Sake and Goma, we will move from a defensive to an offensive position."
Capturing Sake means choking off the Congolese armed forces' supply routes to Goma.
Locals said if Sake falls, Congolese forces will not be able to defend Goma which sits on the border with Rwanda.
The deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the country compelled President Felix Tshisekedi to call the National Security Council meeting in Kinshasa on Monday.
Defence Minister, Jean Pierre Bemba said, "A review took place about military operational issues in North Kivu" and that "everything is being done to ensure that Goma city does not fall."
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