Fri Feb 14 20:30:00 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Seize Airport Near Bukavu, Sparking Fears of Regional War in DRC

**Bukavu, DRC (February 15, 2025)** — The escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a dangerous turn Friday as the M23 rebel group seized the airport serving Bukavu, a major city near the border with Rwanda. This follows weeks of intense fighting and raises serious concerns of a wider regional war, particularly given the presence of military forces from several neighboring countries, including Uganda, Burundi, and South Africa.

The capture of the airport, located approximately 30 kilometers from Bukavu, represents a significant strategic victory for the M23, leaving the city vulnerable. Congolese troops reportedly offered little resistance, withdrawing to Bukavu. The city, home to roughly one million people, experienced immediate upheaval, with shops closing and authorities sending staff home.

This latest escalation comes despite ongoing efforts to de-escalate the violence. African leaders were scheduled to meet in Addis Ababa on Friday for crisis talks, although Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was absent, attending the Munich Security Conference. The outgoing chair of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called for an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, stressing that military solutions will not resolve the conflict.

The conflict, which has raged for three years, has caused a major humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates nearly 3,000 deaths from recent violence. The M23’s takeover of Goma in late January has further exacerbated the situation, with reports of worsening access to water, a potential cholera outbreak, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Aid agencies are severely hampered by limited access and the M23’s order for displaced persons to leave the camps. Even mpox patients in Goma have been forced to flee.

The DRC government accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 and seeking to exploit the region’s rich natural resources. Rwanda denies these accusations, citing security threats from armed groups. The escalating tensions have led to diplomatic fallout, with both countries recalling ambassadors and the DRC closing its airspace to Rwandan aircraft. The international community is increasingly concerned about the potential for regional instability, and calls for de-escalation and humanitarian intervention grow louder.

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