Military sources in Congo have confirmed unrest south of the DRC’s provincial capital, Bukavu, following the M23 rebels’ advance into the area on Monday.
According to military sources, the sudden eruption of gunfire was between retreating Congolese troops and local militia believed to be defending the area.
Reports indicate that the troops sought to avoid urban battles with the rebels and reposition themselves elsewhere to stall the rapid offensive.
Having already lost Congo’s main eastern city of Goma, near the Rwandan border, forces deployed to defend Bukavu and its 1.3 million residents hastily withdrew.
Direct clashes with the M23 were largely avoided, but towns south of Bukavu became battlegrounds as pro-government militia fighters, known as the Wazalendo, confronted the Congolese soldiers to prevent their retreat and hold their ground.
