Kinshasa: The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) on Tuesday announced that they have successfully shot down two drones, which they claim belonged to the Rwanda Defense Force and their allies, after these drones entered Congolese airspace in the eastern part of the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, the drones were intercepted and brought down in Mikenge after illegally violating Congolese airspace in the Minembwe area. FARDC communicated this incident via the US social media platform X, describing it as an act of aggression that represents a new provocation and a breach of the Washington Accord. The FARDC emphasized that Congolese forces are vigilant, disciplined, and prepared to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The situation in the eastern province of South Kivu has been tense following the advancement of M23 rebels, who have taken control of significant territories including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu since 2025. This development occurred despite an agreement signed by Congo and Rwanda in Washington on December 4. The Congolese government, along with the United Nations and other entities, has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, an accusation that Rwanda has consistently denied.

In a related development, the United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military and four senior officers on March 2, alleging that they provided backing to the M23 rebels. In response to these sanctions, the Rwandan government expressed regret, labeling the sanctions as 'one-sided' and asserted the integrity of its military actions.