13 peacekeepers killed in escalating violence in Eastern DRC amid M23 rebel clashes

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again the epicenter of violence as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensify, leaving at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead, according to United Nations and army officials.

The fighting, concentrated near the strategic city of Goma, has drawn international condemnation and heightened tensions in the region. The M23 group, predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis, broke away from the DRC army over a decade ago and has since been accused of receiving backing from Rwanda—a charge Kigali has consistently denied. However, Rwanda admitted last year to deploying troops and missile systems to eastern DRC, citing national security concerns and alleged Congolese troop buildups near its border.

The violence took a grim toll on international peacekeepers. A United Nations official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, confirmed the deaths of two South African peacekeepers on Friday and a Uruguayan Blue Helmet on Saturday. The Uruguayan military identified their fallen soldier as Rodolfo Álvarez of the Uruguay IV Battalion, which has been “working uninterruptedly to comply with the United Nations mandate, as well as to guarantee the evacuation of non-essential civilian and military personnel from the city of Goma.”

Adding to the tragedy, three Malawian peacekeepers were also killed, the United Nations office in Malawi reported on Saturday. South Africa’s Department of Defense revealed in a statement that seven South African soldiers from the SAMIDRC contingent lost their lives during clashes over the past 48 hours.

Amidst the chaos, the wreckage of a white armored vehicle with U.N. markings lay smoldering on a road between Goma and Sake, symbolizing the intensifying danger in the region.

This latest wave of violence underscores the fragile security situation in eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to pose significant threats to peace efforts. The international community now faces mounting pressure to address the crisis and protect the lives of peacekeepers and civilians alike.