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Four More South African Soldiers Killed in Eastern DRC Fighting with M23 Armed Group
Four additional South African soldiers have been killed in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing the toll to 13 in just over a week, according to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The latest fatalities occurred during a series of intense clashes with the M23 armed group, which has been a significant force of instability in the region.
On Monday, three soldiers died after a mortar bomb launched by the M23 rebels landed in the SANDF base near Goma Airport. A fourth soldier later succumbed to injuries sustained in an earlier battle, the SANDF confirmed. This follows a tragic loss last week when nine South African soldiers were killed, including two who were part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO.
The SANDF issued a statement expressing its sorrow at the loss of these brave men. “The M23 rebels launched a mortar bomb in the direction of Goma Airport, which landed in the SANDF base, resulting in the tragic loss of three members,” the statement read. “Furthermore, the SANDF is also saddened to announce that one of our members who was injured in earlier battles succumbed to their wounds.”
The escalating violence in the eastern DRC has garnered international concern, as the M23 continues its assault on the city of Goma, a key location in the mineral-rich region. Despite calls from the global community for the M23 to cease its advance, the rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has shown no signs of relenting.
As of Sunday night, reports suggested that M23 rebels and Rwandan soldiers had entered the city center of Goma, although conflicting accounts have emerged regarding which areas remain under Congolese control. The ongoing battle continues to put civilians in Goma, home to over a million people, at significant risk.
The SANDF has also deployed soldiers to support the regional peacekeeping force formed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in an effort to stabilize the region. Despite the devastating losses, the SANDF remains committed to its peacekeeping efforts under both the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
As the conflict rages on, the role of the South African military in peacekeeping efforts remains vital. The deaths of these soldiers serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working to bring stability to regions engulfed by conflict.
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