One South African soldier was killed and 13 others were injured in clashes with rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Thursday, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) announced Friday.
The confrontation took place in the town of Sake, in North Kivu province, against the March 23 Movement (M23). The injured soldiers have been hospitalised and are currently recovering.
Heavy artillery fire resounded throughout the day in the combat zone.
The M23 rebels, who hold areas in Rutshuru and Masisi territories of North Kivu, have also battled the DRC military in the town of Kanyabayonga in Lubero territory.
These clashes have caused significant civilian displacement as residents flee the fighting.
Kanyabayonga, a town currently sheltering nearly 35,000 internally displaced persons, is a strategic gateway controlling access to the northern part of North Kivu province and extending to the upcomingresource-rich and war-torn Ituri province.
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