DRC claims to have shot down drones belonging to Rwanda and its 'allies'

The Congolese army says it has shot down two drones belonging to the Rwanda Defence Force and "their allies" after they entered Congolese airspace on Tuesday. The army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said it shot down two drones it claims belonged to the Rwanda Defence Force after they entered Congolese airspace in the eastern part of the country. According to the Congolese military, known as Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the drones were destroyed near Mikenge in the Minembwe area after allegedly violating the country’s airspace. The army described the incident as an act of aggression and a breach of the Washington Accord on DR Congo–Rwanda tensions. Rwanda had not immediately responded to the accusations. Tensions between the two neighbors have remained high due to the activities of the rebel group M23 rebel group, which has captured large parts of eastern Congo, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu earlier in 2025. The Congolese government and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali strongly denies. Earlier this month, the United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s military and several senior officers, accusing them of backing the rebel group. Rwanda rejected the sanctions, calling them unfair and one-sided. The situation highlights the ongoing instability in eastern Congo and the fragile relationship between the two neighboring countries. Source: Newstimehub DRC Rwanda M23 AfricaSecurity GreatLakesRegion