Drone Strikes In Congo Leave Three Dead, Including French Aid Worker As Conflict Escalates Between Rebel Group And The Military

Drone strikes hit Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, early Wednesday, leaving at least three people dead, including a French humanitarian worker.

The attack marks the first reported drone strike in the lakeside city since the AFC/M23 rebel group seized control of the area last year.

Officials from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that one of its employees, a French national, died in the incident.

Naija News gathered that residents reported hearing two powerful explosions around 4 a.m., which shook buildings across parts of the city, with emergency sirens following shortly after the blast as rescue teams rushed to the scene.

Rebels Blame Government Forces

The AFC/M23 rebel group accused the Congolese military of launching the drones into a populated area of the city.

However, the Congolese army has not commented on the allegation, while government authorities have yet to issue an official response.

A senior rebel official said one of the drones struck a residence rented by humanitarian workers. The building reportedly sits near a house linked to former Congolese President Joseph Kabila.

According to reports, another drone targeted the residence of the AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa but crashed into Lake Kivu.

International Leaders Condemn Attack

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib condemned the incident. They stressed that humanitarian workers must never be targeted and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law.

The strike comes amid intensified drone operations by both sides in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where fighting continues despite diplomatic efforts by mediators, including the United States and Qatar.

Tensions remain high across several fronts in the region as clashes between government forces and rebel fighters continue.