Headlines
Drones hit east congo's biggest city, killing French aid worker, rebels and UN say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 11, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 11, 2026
Quick Summary
On March 11, 2026, pre‑dawn drone strikes struck Goma—the first since M23 rebels seized the city—killing at least three people, including a French UNICEF aid worker; both the M23 and UN confirm the deaths amid rising drone warfare in eastern DRC.
Drones hit east Congo's biggest city, killing French aid worker, rebels and UN say
Drone Strikes and Their Aftermath in Goma
Details of the Attack
March 11 (Reuters) - Drone strikes hit Goma in east Congo on Wednesday, killing at least three people including a French aid worker, the first such attack in the city since AFC/M23 rebels seized it last year, according to the group and the U.N.
The AFC/M23 blamed the attack on the Congolese army, saying in a post on X that Kinshasa had launched drones against a densely populated urban area in the lakeside city.
A spokesperson for the rebels said in a separate post that three people had died, including a foreign humanitarian worker.
Victims and Confirmation
A senior official for U.N. children's agency UNICEF told Reuters that one of its employees, a French national, was killed.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo confirmed that the strikes killed a U.N. staff member and two other civilians and warned that attacks against U.N. personnel may amount to war crimes.
International Response
French President Emmanuel Macron and Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, condemned the attack in posts on X, calling for respect for international humanitarian law and saying aid workers must never be targeted.
Official Reactions
A spokesperson for Congo's army declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Congo's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Regional and International Implications
Neighbouring Rwanda's Concerns
NEIGHBOURING RWANDA CONCERNED
Rwanda’s deputy government spokesperson, Jean Maurice Uwera, said in a post on X that the attack underscored security concerns near Rwanda's border despite a U.S.-mediated peace accord signed in Washington last year.
Sanctions and Denials
The U.S. this month imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and top military officials over alleged support for AFC/M23 rebels in eastern Congo. Rwanda denies the allegations.
On-the-Ground Reports and Ongoing Conflict
Eyewitness Accounts
A Reuters journalist in Goma reported hearing two loud explosions at around 4 a.m. (0200 GMT). The blasts shook windows and doors and were followed by the sound of ambulance sirens.
Targeted Locations
A senior AFC/M23 official told Reuters the house struck by one of the drones had been rented by UNICEF employees and is close to a residence used by former Congolese President Joseph Kabila in a neighbourhood that houses several prominent political and business figures.
The official said a second drone had targeted the residence of AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, but fell into Lake Kivu.
Escalation of Drone Warfare
The strikes come after weeks of intensifying drone operations on both sides of the conflict.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Congo newsroom, Giulia Paravicini and Clement Bonnerot; Writing by Clement Bonnerot; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Andrew Cawthorne)
Key Takeaways
- •The drone attack on Goma marks an alarming escalation in urban drone warfare in eastern DRC, targeting densely populated civilian areas and aid workers; a French UNICEF worker was among the casualties (apnews.com).
- •M23 rebels immediately blamed the Congolese army for the strikes; recent weeks saw intensified drone operations from both sides, including earlier strikes on the strategic mining town of Rubaya that killed the group’s military spokesperson (apnews.com).
- •The attack drew condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, who stressed adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of aid personnel; the Congo army and government have not yet issued responses (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Drones hit east Congo's biggest city, killing French aid worker, rebels and UN say
1Who was killed in the Goma drone strike?
At least three people were killed, including a French UNICEF aid worker, according to rebels and UN sources.
2Who is alleged to have launched the drone strikes in Goma?
AFC/M23 rebels blame the Congolese army for launching drones into the city.
3What other locations have been targeted by drones in recent weeks?
Recent drone attacks targeted Kisangani's airport and the area around Rubaya town.
4What has been the international response to the attack?
French President Macron and EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib condemned the attack and called for respect for international humanitarian law.
5What is the current situation in eastern Congo?
Fighting continues on multiple fronts despite mediation efforts by Qatar and the United States.
