FARDC-Wazalendo Retake Mindjendje and Several Masisi Villages; Fighting Continues at Kasake

Government forces and Wazalendo fighters confirmed recapture of the Mindjendje position in Walikale's Kisimba grouping on Wednesday, Sept 16, a day after launching the offensive that pushed AFC/M23 rebels back toward Malemo in Masisi; local sources described a precarious calm at Mindjendje by Sept 16, though the wider Kisimba grouping's security situation remained volatile. In Masisi's Ufamandu 1er grouping, the Wazalendo coalition recaptured several settlements — Remeka, Katuunda, Miko, Kareta and their surroundings — building on Sept 15's Miko hill recapture, with further positions recovered in Walikale's Luberike grouping and in the Katoyi and Osso-Banyungu sectors. Fresh fighting resumed early Wednesday around Kasake, a few kilometers from Remeka in the Bahunde chiefdom, involving roughly five Wazalendo groups allied with FARDC; a military spokesperson confirmed positions were reconquered in the area. Additional clashes were reported near Bibatama, Mitimingi and Katoyi-Centre. No casualty toll was available for any of the fronts, and many displaced families remained unable to return to their villages.