The town, located 60 kilometers from Lubero-Centre in the province of North Kivu, was attacked again by the M23, which tried unsuccessfully to break through the Army lines to occupy the enclave and advance towards Ndoluma, reported Radio Okapi.

Military sources told the media that at noon on Tuesday a part of Mambasa, located in a valley, became a neutral zone between the two camps.

The Congolese military have established their forward defensive positions there, while the M23, located some distance from Mambasa, has erected a fortress to block any advance towards Alimbongo, currently held by the insurgents, the report said.

The day before, intense action gripped this area, as both sides tried to achieve their goals: the Congolese military seeking to retrieve the strategic town of Alimbongo, lost a week ago, which is key to accessing the city of Lubero, the capital of the territory.

Meanwhile, the insurgents are intent on advancing towards Mambasa and Ndoluma.

According to Radio Okapi, on Monday the M23 evacuated its positions in the neighbouring town of Kasiki, approximately five kilometres from Alimbongo, before retreating to the rural commune of Kirumba.

Locals, on the other hand, have been displaced under heavy cross fire, including artillery. This is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country, where around seven million people have fled their homes escaping the armed conflict and now are suffering from lack of food, health care and other basic services.

ied/rc/kmg