The shelling occurred during clashes between the AFC/M23 rebel group, the DRC army, Burundian forces, Wazalendo, and the FDLR militia in South Kivu, particularly in the Rusizi plain.
Heavy shelling targeted areas under AFC/M23 control in Walungu Territory, including Kamanyola and Kaziba.
A resident, who lost his wife and two children during the attack, told Conspiracy Tracker Great Lakes (CTGL) that civilians had no means of escape. 'We were indoors when a shell fell on our house. Four people died: my wife, two children, and a neighbour's child,' he said.
Kamanyola's local administrator, Hassan Shabani, said the attacks between 2 and 4 December killed eight people.
'Since December 2, Kamanyola has endured intense shelling from Burundi. Around 150 shells hit the town, which spans seven square kilometres and is home to over 100,000 people. Schools, hospitals, and civilian homes were damaged,' he said.
Shabani expressed concern over why Kamanyola was targeted when most fighting occurred 15 kilometres away in Lubarika and Luvungi.
'The fighting was in Lubarika and Luvungi, yet Burundian forces decided to fire shells at Kamanyola. Heavy weapons were positioned and fired here on December 2. On the 3rd and 4th, they moved their artillery from Katoki to Rukana and continued shelling Kamanyola,' he explained.
A doctor at Saint Joseph Hospital in Kamanyola said the medical facility received 55 casualties from the attacks, including 27 people with severe injuries who were later transferred to Bukavu's main hospital for advanced treatment.
IGIHE
