FARDC-Wazalendo Retake Miko Hill in Masisi as Army Launches Offensive on Mindjendje

Government forces backed by Wazalendo fighters recaptured the strategic Miko hill in Katuunda locality, Ufamandu 1er grouping (Masisi territory), on Tuesday, Sept 15, after particularly heavy fighting with AFC/M23 rebels; the position allows monitoring of several routes toward Walikale and is considered militarily significant. The same day, roughly 30km northwest in Walikale's Kisimba grouping, FARDC and Wazalendo launched an offensive to retake the Mindjendje position (Banakindi locality) that AFC/M23 had held since Sept 10; after several hours of combat, rebels withdrew toward Malemo in neighboring Masisi. Separately, traffic timidly resumed on the Kashebere-Mungazi axis in Walikale's Luberike grouping after FARDC and Wazalendo forces briefly occupied and then withdrew from Kibati.