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Friday, Feb 07, 2025
Outside the box.
Rwandan Troop Casualties Escalate Amid Conflict in Eastern DRC
Reports indicate significant Rwandan military losses linked to operations supporting M23 rebels, contradicting official denials.
Recent reports indicate that hundreds of Rwandan troops have died during covert operations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising questions about Rwanda's involvement in the ongoing conflict with M23 rebels despite official denials from Kigali.
Multiple intelligence, military, and diplomatic sources suggest that the losses sustained by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) could be in the thousands, as satellite imagery has identified at least 600 new graves at a military cemetery in Kigali since the M23 resumed operations in the region three years ago.
Sources indicate that some Rwandan soldiers have been secretly buried in mass graves in the DRC due to the difficulties associated with retrieving bodies from conflict zones.
It has been reported that families received empty coffins when the return of remains was not feasible.
An increase in casualties has led to the establishment of a new wing in Kigali's military hospital to handle the influx of wounded soldiers.
Rwanda has consistently denied any military involvement in the DRC, though United Nations experts assert that the Rwandan army exercises de facto control over M23 operations, particularly after the group seized Goma in January 2023. The UN expert panel suggested that around 4,000 Rwandan troops were deployed to the DRC, although intelligence sources estimate that the number may exceed 7,000.
The ongoing conflict has escalated recently, with heavy fighting resulting in an increased number of military and civilian casualties.
A senior military source acknowledged that the capacity of the DRC army, aided by drones and airpower, contributes to the sizable RDF death toll, with allegations pointing towards sustained frontline engagement of Rwandan forces.
In dramatic developments, it has emerged that during a mass jailbreak at Goma's Munzenze prison, several hundred female inmates were reportedly raped and killed following an attack linked to M23.
The UN has reported that nearly 2,000 bodies are awaiting burial in Goma, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in a city now fully under rebel control.
Additionally, recent statements from Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested an acknowledgment of military losses during a year-end address, promising to honor the sacrifices of families affected by the conflict.
The Rwandan government has not officially responded to inquiries seeking clarification on these matters, which have prompted renewed calls for transparency regarding the military's operations in the DRC.
As diplomatic efforts continue, including a scheduled crisis summit between the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the situation remains tense, with the international community closely monitoring the developments surrounding Rwanda's military actions and the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the conflict.
Multiple intelligence, military, and diplomatic sources suggest that the losses sustained by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) could be in the thousands, as satellite imagery has identified at least 600 new graves at a military cemetery in Kigali since the M23 resumed operations in the region three years ago.
Sources indicate that some Rwandan soldiers have been secretly buried in mass graves in the DRC due to the difficulties associated with retrieving bodies from conflict zones.
It has been reported that families received empty coffins when the return of remains was not feasible.
An increase in casualties has led to the establishment of a new wing in Kigali's military hospital to handle the influx of wounded soldiers.
Rwanda has consistently denied any military involvement in the DRC, though United Nations experts assert that the Rwandan army exercises de facto control over M23 operations, particularly after the group seized Goma in January 2023. The UN expert panel suggested that around 4,000 Rwandan troops were deployed to the DRC, although intelligence sources estimate that the number may exceed 7,000.
The ongoing conflict has escalated recently, with heavy fighting resulting in an increased number of military and civilian casualties.
A senior military source acknowledged that the capacity of the DRC army, aided by drones and airpower, contributes to the sizable RDF death toll, with allegations pointing towards sustained frontline engagement of Rwandan forces.
In dramatic developments, it has emerged that during a mass jailbreak at Goma's Munzenze prison, several hundred female inmates were reportedly raped and killed following an attack linked to M23.
The UN has reported that nearly 2,000 bodies are awaiting burial in Goma, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in a city now fully under rebel control.
Additionally, recent statements from Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested an acknowledgment of military losses during a year-end address, promising to honor the sacrifices of families affected by the conflict.
The Rwandan government has not officially responded to inquiries seeking clarification on these matters, which have prompted renewed calls for transparency regarding the military's operations in the DRC.
As diplomatic efforts continue, including a scheduled crisis summit between the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the situation remains tense, with the international community closely monitoring the developments surrounding Rwanda's military actions and the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the conflict.
