Congo rebel leader claims responsibility for drone attack on strategic northeast city

Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo AFC/M23, arrives at Unity Stadium with rebel leaders for a funeral ceremony for victims who died in a drone strike in Masisi territory, in Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

Feb 3 (Reuters) - The leader of ‌the AFC/M23 rebel movement in Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday claimed responsibility ‌for a drone attack targeting the airport in the strategic northeastern city ‌of Kisangani, describing it as a warning to the government.

The government of Tshopo province, where Kisangani is located, said in a statement on Sunday that eight explosive‑laden drones targeted the airport serving Kisangani. It ‍said all the drones were shot down before reaching ‍their target.