Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka called the operations between May 23 and 29 “terrorist actions” that were systematically carried out on different highly populated districts of South Kivu in a statement put on X on Monday, June 2.

 "The region is currently experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as a result of these savage attacks, which have resulted in incalculable human casualties," Kanyuka said.

 The statement claimed that the Congolese government troops carried out the attacks in cooperation with partner organizations such as the Wazalendo militias, the Rwandan genocidal militia FDLR, and the Burundian army.

"FDLR, FARDC and the national defense forces of Burundi (deployed from Kizura and Rulenge) carried out deadly attacks" in Rugezi, one of the targeted locations, according to Kanyuka.

 Bibokoboko, Bijabo, Kalingi, and Mikenke are among the other impacted areas.

 "Wazalendo militias, operating from Kipupu and Zero, launched coordinated attacks on the villages in Mikenke and Kalingi," Kanyuka continued.

 "The Wazalendo militias and the Burundian military launched joint offensives against the localities of Bijabo and Bibokoboko."

 For thirty years, hundreds of armed organizations have been active in the conflict-plagued eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since late 2021, the M23 rebels have been fighting government forces, which are supported by several allies including European mercenaries, the SADC forces, Burundian troops, and various local armed militias.

The rebels have captured two major cities in eastern DR Congo since January this year. The AFC/M23 accuses the Congolese government of systemic failures, including poor governance, economic mismanagement, and the prolonged persecution and displacement of Congolese Tutsi communities.

Former President Joseph Kabila, who has been critical of the current President Felix Tshisekedi, returned from exile and is now living in AFC/M23-controlled territory in an attempt to end the conflict.

 Hostilities persist despite several attempts to promote peace by local, regional, and international entities.