DRC: SANDF soldier killed, 13 injured in bloody ambush

A contingent of South African soldiers was led into a bloody ambush by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) this week.

THE BLOODY AMBUSH HAPPENED ON THURSDAY MORNING    

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen one soldier’s death and injuries to 13 others, as reported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Authorities understand that an encounter with members of the M23 rebel group occurred on Thursday in Sake, eastern DRC.

The SANDF says two of its military vehicles were damaged during the attack.

The injured soldiers have been hospitalised in Goma.

THEY RUSHED THE INJURED SOLDIERS TO A HOSPITAL

Reports by Ituri Vision, Rwanda Tribune, Kivu Press Agency, and Kivu Morning Post indicate DRC government forces (FARDC), together with Wazalendo militia and SAMIDRC troops bombarded M23 rebel positions.

This occurred in the mountains around Sake, approximately 30 km from Goma, on Thursday morning, followed by a ground assault on M23 positions.

SEVERAL VEHICLES INCURRED DESTRUCTION

The M23 rebels apparently destroyed five SAMIDRC vehicles, and captured an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and a truck.

“They also bombarded Sake, with at least several projectiles falling on the town, killing a number of civilians.” the report states.

Meanwhile,  the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 condemned the attacks perpetrated against civilian population by SAMIDRC.

THE ATTACK RESULTED IN THE KILLING OF SEVERAL CIVILIANS

In coalition with the forces of the Kinshasha regime, mainly by FARDC, FDLR, mercenaries, militias (Wazelendo), and the Burundi National Defence Forces.

The statement goes on to say that the crisis in the DRC “should be resolved politically.

The SADC countries that are fighting alongside Kinshasha regime coalition forces should bear full responsibility for the massacres against innocent civilians.”

SEVERAL CIVILIANS SUSTAINED INJURIES

M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo said the provisional toll for Thursday’s fighting included ten civilians killed, several wounded and many more displaced by shelling.

The attackers destroyed four armoured personnel carriers and captured two APCs and one IVECO truck.

“The M23/AFC will continue to defend itself professionally and protect the civilian population while we continue to remind the international community of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis orchestrated by the Kinshasha coalition forces,” the statement, attributed to spokesman Lawrence Kanyuku, concluded.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, TWO MORE SANDF SOLDIERS DIED IN THE DRC

This comes after a mortar bomb killed two SANDF soldiers and injured three others earlier this year in the DRC.

South African National Defence Force spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African Contingent military bases, inflicting casualties and injuries to the SANDF soldiers.

The incident happened on 14 February 2024 at about 13:30.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY

The RSA Contingent is part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed to support and assist the government of the DRC in its efforts to bring peace, security, and stability to that region.

“As a result of this indirect fire, the SANDF suffered two fatalities and three members sustained injuries.”

Siphiwe Dlamini said

A MORTAR BOMB LANDED INSIDE AN SA CONTINGENT MILITARY BASE

Dlamini further stated that they took injured soldiers to the nearest hospital in Goma for medical attention.

“Details of this incident are still sketchy at the moment; further investigation will be conducted to determine the basis of the incident.”

South Africa has deployed almost 3,000 soldiers to conflict-ridden eastern DRC.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT HAS DEPLOYED THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS TO THE DRC

Thousands of people have fled the east of the country as M23 rebels take key towns.

Observers believe the rebels are rapidly approaching the North Kivu capital of Goma. The SANDF reports that the attack damaged two of its military vehicles.

THIS OPERATION WILL COST SA OVER R2 BILLION

Meanwhile, the SANDF will work alongside DRC security forces to fight the insurgents. It’s part of SADC’s military intervention in the country.

The Presidency said the operation will cost over R2 billion.