DR Congo fighter jet shot down for alleged violation of Rwandan airspace
https://sputniknews.com/20230125/reports-dr-congo-jet-shot-over-alleged-violation-of-rwanda-airspace-1106689813.html
Reports: DR Congo Jet shot down over suspected violation of Rwandan airspace
Reports: DR Congo Jet shot down over suspected violation of Rwandan airspace
Rwanda fired at a DRC armed forces military plane, which allegedly violated the country’s airspace, according to media reports.
2023-01-25T13:53+0000
2023-01-25T13:53+0000
2023-01-25T13:53+0000
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Rwanda fired at a DRC armed forces military plane which allegedly violated the country’s airspace, according to media reports. Media said a fighter jet was flying near the DRC-Rwanda border from the DRC town of Kitshanga when it was hit. After that, the plane landed at Goma International Airport in eastern DRC with its right wing on fire. The fire was extinguished without further damage by a fire engine, which intervened on the runway. Following the incident, Rwandan officials said the Congolese fighter jet violated its airspace, urging the DRC “to stop this aggression”. responded to the allegation by saying the plane was attacked in its home airspace. He pointed out that the fighter jet was shot down when it began to land at Goma airport, so it did not “fly over Rwandan airspace”. the plane managed to land with almost no major material damage. He further condemned the attack, considering it “an act of aggression”, aimed at undermining the ongoing peace process within the framework of the Luanda talks and Nairobi. Rwanda’s spokesman, Yola nde Makolo then also stressed that “these repeated violations are contrary to the spirit” of the peace initiatives. A similar situation also occurred in November last year. Tensions between neighboring countries have increased recently, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, who are active mainly in eastern DRC, in North Kivu province. However, Kigali denied any involvement. The March 23 Movement, also known as M23, is a largely Congolese armed group, which was formed in 2012. In late 2021, the group launched an insurgency, seizing large parts of the country. Although the DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, in November the leaders of the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Angola met in Luanda to discuss the peace settlement in the east. of the DRC as part of a joint effort to ensure stability in the region.
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east africa, rwanda, democratic republic of congo (drc), fighter jet, airspace violation, m23 rebel group
east africa, rwanda, democratic republic of congo (drc), fighter jet, airspace violation, m23 rebel group
Rwandan authorities have repeatedly protested to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over alleged violations of its airspace by Congolese fighter jets. The latest incident has put additional strain on the already strained relationship between the two countries.
Rwanda fired at a DRC armed forces military plane which allegedly violated the country’s airspace, according to media reports.
Following the incident, Rwandan officials said the Congolese fighter jet violated its airspace, urging the DRC “to put an end to this aggression”.
“Today, January 24 at 5:03 p.m., a Sukhoi-25 from Congo violated Rwandan airspace for the third time. Defensive measures have been taken,” read a statement issued by the Rwandan government spokesperson’s office.
However, the DRC government responded to the allegation by saying the plane was attacked in its home airspace. He pointed out that the fighter jet was shot down when it began to land at Goma airport, so it did not “fly over Rwandan airspace”. The government said the plane managed to land with almost no major property damage.
“The government of DR Congo strongly condemns and denounces the attack on its fighter jet by the Rwandan army in Congolese airspace and has no intention of letting it pass,” the Congolese government said in a statement. a statement.
Incidents of this type with alleged violation of airspace have occurred at least twice. In December, Kigali said another DRC fighter jet violated its airspace along Lake Kivu in the country’s western province. Rwanda’s spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, then also stressed that “these repeated violations are contrary to the spirit” of the peace initiatives. A similar situation also occurred in November last year.
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