Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Informed source to Al Mayadeen: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi demands that al-Sharaa approve the establishment of an autonomous region similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Israeli media: Three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat in span of 20 minutes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Release of Israeli captives will mark end of war in Gaza in accordance with Trump plan.
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week

Rwandan army ‘ready to invade DRC,’ help militants seize Goma

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Observer
  • 26 Jan 2025 00:26
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Officials speaking to The Observer on condition of anonymity stated that the RDF had increased pressure on the beleaguered Congolese city by assembling large numbers of troops on the Rwandan side of the border.

Listen
  • x
  • Rwandan army ‘ready to invade DRC’ and help rebels seize city
    A UN armored personnel carrier on fire outside Goma, on January 25, 2025 (AP)

Large numbers of Rwandan troops have been flowing across the border into the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assist militants in seizing the regional capital of Goma ahead of an emergency UN summit on the issue on Monday, intelligence officials warned.

In early January, rebel forces from the M23 movement, supported by Rwanda, seized control of a key town in the eastern DRC.

Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) personnel are thought to have quietly infiltrated into eastern DRC in recent days to support the M23's onslaught.

Officials speaking to The Observer on condition of anonymity stated that the RDF had increased pressure on the beleaguered Congolese city by assembling large numbers of troops on the Rwandan side of the border, just a few hundred meters from central Goma.

The majority of the RDF's top commanders are also claimed to be stationed in Gisenyi, Rwanda, which is less than a mile from Goma, and someone with insider knowledge told The Observer that the Rwandan army is "lined up at the border, ready to invade."

On the outskirts of Goma, fierce battles between M23 advance groups and the Congolese army were reported all day on Saturday, leading to the death of 9 South African troops and a Uruguayan member of the UN peacekeeping mission, in addition to the injury of four others.

The battle seemed to be pushing even closer to Goma's outskirts, with one source claiming that combat had reached Nzulo, almost within the city boundaries, bypassing the massive refugee camps that house more than a million people displaced by the conflict.

Related News

ISIS-backed AFD kill at least 21 in church bombing in eastern Congo

Rwanda exits Central African bloc over Congo dispute

According to Congolese army sources, the Rwandan-backed M23's onslaught was halted overnight. An anonymous intelligence source expressed that “Goma’s defenses are just about holding out, but they [Rwanda] want to take Goma before the UNSC."

The United Nations Security Council, which is in charge of maintaining international peace and security, is slated to conduct an emergency meeting on Monday to examine the ongoing situation.

Intelligence sources suggest Rwanda plans to seize Goma before Western intervention, requiring M23 forces to break through defenses and capture the city, where up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are already operating.

M23 militants have seized key towns near Goma, including Minova and Sake, disrupting the supply of food and goods, with reports suggesting Rwanda may target Bukavu next.

Clémentine de Montjoye of Human Rights Watch told The Observer on Saturday that the situation in Goma is "extremely dire" with reports of continued combat on the two axes north and west of the city, as well as water and electricity shortages.

"Given the huge number of civilians currently seeking shelter in Goma, it is vital that pressure be mounted on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, and allow access to vital humanitarian aid."

Many commentators are skeptical of the West's approach to the brewing crisis, notably its reluctance to rein in Rwanda's president and RDF leader, Paul Kagame. Critics accuse the UK, US, and France, three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, of being too close to Kagame.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the EU said, "Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw."

  • DRC
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Congo
  • Rwanda
  • Goma

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS