Nine South African soldiers and three Malawian peacekeeping soldiers were killed by M23 rebels, according to the authorities.
At least 12 peacekeeping soldiers, including two of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, Monusco, were killed in fights in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said the authorities.
Congolese troops and peacekeepers have fought in recent days to stop the advancement of M23 rebels in the city of Goma, the capital of the province of North Kivu.
The rebellion of the M23, which has lasted for three years in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rich in minerals, intensified in January with the takeover of more territories by the rebels, encouraging the UN to put in custody against the risk of a broader regional war.
On Friday, nine South African soldiers had been killed in clashes with the M23 rebels, the South African armed forces said on Saturday in a statement.
Two South Africans deployed as part of the UN peacekeeping mission and seven other members of the Southern African Regional Bloc Forces in the DRC were killed during two days of violent battles, according to the press release .
“The members led a courageous fight to prevent the rebels from heading to Goma as it was their intention,” the statement said, adding that the M23 was postponed.
A UN official, addressing the Associated Press news agency, confirmed the death of two UN soldiers.
Peace soldiers were killed on Friday, the UN official on condition of anonymity told the agency.
Malawi’s military spokesperson confirmed that three of his peacekeeping soldiers deployed as part of the SADC mission had been killed in fighting with the M23 rebels.
“We confirm the loss of three of our courageous soldiers who were part of the SADC mission in the DRC,” said spokesman Emmanuel Mlelemba, referring to the Samidrc mission of the South African Development Community.
“These soldiers fell into the exercise of their duties during a confrontation with the rebellious group M23 operating in the east of the DRC. As the situation remains volatile, more details will be shared later, “he added.
The M23, or movement of March 23, is an armed group made up of Tutsi ethnicity which separated from the Congolese army over 10 years ago. Since its resurgence in 2022, the M23 has continued to gain ground in the east of the DRC.
The DRC and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 with troops and weapons – which Rwanda denies.
The UN will relocate its non -essential staff
The M23 has achieved major territorial advances in recent weeks, encircling the eastern city of Goma, which houses around two million inhabitants and constitutes a regional hub of security and humanitarian efforts.
The UN declared that it would temporarily transfer from Goma non -essential staff, such as administrative staff.
“The essential staff remain in the field, supporting critical operations such as food distribution, medical assistance, shelters and protection of vulnerable communities,” said the UN press release.
The M23 is one of some 100 armed groups that are fighting to gain a foothold in the east of the DRC, rich in minerals, along the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has lasted for decades and which has created One of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world.
Since 1998, around six million people have been killed and around seven million have been moved inside the country.
More than 237,000 people have been moved by fighting in eastern Congo since the start of this year, the United Nations Refugees Agency said on Monday.
Thursday, the M23 took control of the city of Sake, located just 27 km west of Goma and one of the last main roads leading to the provincial capital still under the control of the government, according to the secretary general of The UN, Antonio Guterres.
