The Rwanda-backed M23 fighters claim to have taken control of Kavumu airport serving Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The airport, primarily used for NGO and military flights and where DRC troops had been stationed,

Rwanda-backed rebels reached the center of east Congo’s second largest city, Bukavu, on Sunday morning and took control of the South Kivu province administrative office after little resistance from government forces,

After the M23 Rwanda-backed rebels Feb. 16 occupied Bukavu, a second major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo, Catholic bishops and experts are warning this offensive in the provinces of North and South Kivu signals a clear intent to establish a permanent foreign country presence in the region.

The capture of Bukavu, a commercial hub, and of the strategic airport that services the city in the nearby town of Kavumu dealt a further blow to Kinshasa's authority and escalated a conflict that has fanned fears of an all-out regional war.

M23 rebels have taken control of the strategic Kavumu airport that serves Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, the rebel group and a civil security source said Friday. The rebels also seized the town of Katana.

Rwanda-backed rebels have reached the center of east Congo’s second-largest city, Bukavu, and taken control of the South Kivu province administrative office.

M23 rebels patrol the centre of east Congo's second-largest city Bukavu, in South Kivu, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/)

The M23 rebel group reached Bukavu, regional capital of South Kivu, on Saturday. It is the second regional capital to fall under the control of the rebels since they took up arms again against the government in 2022.

Rwanda-backed rebels have reached the center of east Congo's second-largest city, Bukavu, and taken control of the South Kivu province administrative office.

M23 rebels patrol the centre of east Congo's second-largest city Bukavu, in South Kivu, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/)

M23 rebels captured Bukavu, the capital of the eastern DRC’s South Kivu province, on 16 February with little resistance from government forces. Bukavu is a commercial hub of about 1.3 million people, the fall of which is another significant blow to Kinshasa’s authority at home and in the region.