FARDC-Wazalendo Retake Mahanga After Three-Day Battle; Precarious Calm Holds at Kibati

FARDC and Wazalendo forces retook the Mahanga settlement (Butsike locality, Nyamaboko I grouping, Masisi) on Friday, Sept 11, after three days of intense fighting that began Wednesday when the government coalition launched an offensive against AFC/M23 positions in the Osso-Banyungu sector; the army and its allies were reinforcing and consolidating positions in the strategically located settlement, though the security situation was described as still fragile. Roughly 20km north in Walikale's Luberike grouping, a precarious calm held Friday at Kibati after violent clashes there Thursday, Sept 10, between AFC/M23 and FARDC-Wazalendo forces; FARDC and Wazalendo hold the town center while AFC/M23 fighters remain on the surrounding hills, and road traffic on the Kashebere-Mungazi axis stayed suspended.