The armed group AFC/M23 has claimed responsibility for a major assault on Kisangani Airport in eastern DRC, targeting military installations used for drone operations against its positions.
According to reports, the attack destroyed a D‑4 air defense system stationed at the airport. Images circulating show the weapon heavily damaged after the strike.
Kisangani Airport has long served as a hub for drone operations and air campaigns by FARDC and allied forces.
Recent drone strikes launched from Kisangani have hit areas such as Minembwe, Masisi, Rubaya, Rumangabo, and other parts of North and South Kivu.
Military experts and foreign advisors have reportedly been stationed there to coordinate aerial operations.
The group accuses the Congolese army of using drones to target civilians near frontline zones. It says the Kisangani strike was aimed at halting these operations.
Kisangani’s role as a logistics and command center makes it a critical target in the ongoing war. Both sides are intensifying efforts to control areas with military and economic value, as drone warfare expands across eastern Congo.