The M23 rebel group has declared that it has seized control of Kavumu airport, a facility approximately 30 kilometers from Bukavu, previously used by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) coalition forces to launch attacks on M23 positions.

The M23 rebel group has announced that it has taken control of the town of Kavumu, located in South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Kavumu, a strategic location in South Kivu, hosts an airport that was used by the DRC’s coalition forces to… pic.twitter.com/gdl66sD445

— IGIHE (@IGIHE) February 14, 2025

Footage circulating on social media revealed that M23 has seized BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), T-54/55 main battle tanks (MBTs), 122mm D-30M (2A18M) howitzers, 152mm D-20 howitzers, and other military equipment.

#Congo (#DRC) 🇨🇩: “March 23 Movement” (#M23) took control of the #Kavumu Airport in #Bukavu, capital of South Kivu.

M23 seemingly captured BMP-1 IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles), T-54/55 MBTs (Main Battle Tanks), 122mm D-30M (2A18M) howitzer, 152mm D-20 howitzer and more.. pic.twitter.com/NFFwizIhVJ

— War Noir (@war_noir) February 14, 2025

The seizure of Kavumu Airport followed the rebels’ capture of the town of Katana, located about 11 kilometers from the airport. Local sources reported that M23 forces encountered minimal resistance as they advanced through these areas. 

The M23’s recent actions have raised concerns about their potential to capture Bukavu, the provincial capital, which they previously claimed they had no intention of seizing.

[WATCH] M23 fighters have captured Kavumu Airport and its surrounding areas, according to Lawrence Kanyuka, the group’s spokesperson. The airport is located 30 kilometers from Bukavu in South Kivu Province, DRC. The group was filmed this morning advancing its fighters towards… pic.twitter.com/0tJa43PmLl

— KT Press Rwanda (@ktpressrwanda) February 14, 2025

In response to the escalating crisis, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany to seek international support. He is also scheduled to participate in the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The M23 rebels, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, have been active in eastern Congo for over a decade. In January, the group seized Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. 

The United Nations refugee agency has voiced concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in DRC. It called for support after reporting that intense artillery shelling and widespread looting have destroyed 70,000 emergency shelters in Goma and Minova, spanning North and South Kivu provinces. 

As a result, approximately 350,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have been left homeless once again.

DRC: Heavy artillery shelling & looting destroyed 70,000 emergency shelters around Goma & Minova in North & South Kivu provinces, leaving some 350,000 internally displaced people once again without roofs over their heads.@Refugees DRC News Release: https://t.co/bo4FVd3qn7

— UNHCR News (@RefugeesMedia) February 14, 2025

A senior U.N. official  last week said nearly 3,000 have been killed in the ongoing fighting between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces.