Two South African soldiers fell victim to mortar fire in
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the first casualties since
South Africa deployed troops to combat numerous armed groups in the region.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) reported
the fatalities and injuries resulting from the attack, with three additional
members wounded and evacuated for medical treatment in Goma, the nearest city
with adequate healthcare facilities.
Part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
mission, these soldiers were deployed to confront armed rebel factions
proliferating in the eastern provinces of the DRC. Despite South Africa's
recent announcement of deploying an additional 2,900 troops to the area, it
remains unclear whether the victims were part of this reinforcement.
The targeted base, located in North Kivu province, faced the brunt of the attack. The escalating violence in the region, attributed in part to the M23 rebel group, has been a cause for concern. While Kinshasa accuses neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23 militarily, Rwanda vehemently denies the allegations.
Nevertheless, M23's recent activities indicate a resurgence, stoking fears of renewed hostilities, particularly towards Goma, a city it once seized a decade ago. The conflict's toll on civilians has been staggering, with over one million people displaced since November, exacerbating one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
The Norwegian Refugee Council warned of an imminent threat to aid operations as armed groups advance towards critical towns like Sake, posing a significant challenge to humanitarian efforts in eastern Congo.
The incident underscores the volatile and precarious situation faced by international forces in their mission to stabilize the region and protect civilian populations from the ravages of conflict.
