FRN fighters took control of the towns of Bitale and Bulambika in South Kivu's Kalehe territory between Nov 7 and Nov 8, 2026.
Two or more independent outlets report it. We'll update this page as reporting comes in, then say whether it held up.
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Who's reporting it
- Actualite.cd, 2026-11-08: Local sources say FRN rebels entered Bulambika on the afternoon of Nov 8 after the army and allied Wazalendo fighters withdrew, about a day after the same fighters took Bitale on the RN3 road. source
- PressAfrik, 2026-11-10: Republishing an RFI report, it says FRN fighters began an offensive on the night of Nov 6-7, crossed Kahuzi-Biega park and took Bitale, Bulambika and Kambali after fighting with the army and Wazalendo. source
- Africanews, 2026-11-10: Reports that the FRN advance in Kalehe has cost government forces positions and raised questions among pro-government fighters about how the rebels got around their lines. source
History
- 2026-11-10: Corroborated. Actualite.cd, citing local sources, and RFI, citing Congolese military sources, each report the captures from their own reporting, and Africanews separately describes the army losing positions in the area.