Conflict Escalates in Eastern DRC; Ebola Outbreak Spreads with 204 Deaths

According to the Central News Agency, conflict has erupted again in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in recent days. Fighting between government forces and the rebel group M23 has been intense, and an Ebola outbreak is also spreading in the region.

According to AFP, the eastern region of the DRC is resource-rich but has been mired in violent conflict involving multiple armed groups for over 30 years. Since 2021, the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have occupied large swathes of territory, and the fighting intensified further in early 2025.

The eastern part of the DRC is the core area of the current Ebola outbreak, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an international health alert as a result.

According to the latest statistics released by the DRC Ministry of Health over the weekend, the Ebola outbreak has caused 204 deaths, with 867 suspected cases.

Security and local sources said that recent fighting has mainly occurred in the Masisi area of North Kivu province, which is located south of Ituri province, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak.

Didier Lomoyo, Deputy Governor of North Kivu province, said today that the strategic airport in Kisangani was attacked by mortars. This airport is used by government forces.

Local police sources also revealed that two drones were intercepted, fortunately causing no damage.

In recent months, M23 has attacked the strategic airport in Kisangani multiple times, and military aircraft of the Kinshasa government forces take off from this airport.

Local sources said that North Kivu and South Kivu provinces have been hit by multiple airstrikes recently, but AFP has been unable to independently verify the number of casualties from these airstrikes.