At least four additional South African soldiers have been killed in clashes with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing the total death toll of South African peacekeepers to 13 since the conflict escalated last week.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed the fatalities in a statement released on Monday. The soldiers were deployed in eastern Congo as part of peacekeeping missions under the United Nations (U.N.) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
According to the Department of Defence, three soldiers lost their lives following a mortar attack by M23 rebels near Goma airport, a strategic location in eastern Congo. Additionally, another soldier succumbed to injuries sustained in combat over the past three days.
Earlier, the government had announced that nine South African peacekeepers had been killed in the ongoing hostilities.
Despite the growing casualties, the Department of Defence reaffirmed the SANDF’s commitment to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the U.N.-mandated MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC) and the SADC mission.
The M23 rebellion, which has displaced thousands of civilians and destabilized the region, continues to pose significant challenges to peace and security in eastern Congo. The South African troops remain integral to international efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region.
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