M23 fighters, allegedly backed by Rwanda, justified these abductions by claiming the victims were soldiers of the DRC army or affiliated with the pro-government militia Wazalendo.

The UN condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for the immediate return of the abducted patients to ensure their medical care continues.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, expressed deep concern over the coordinated raids, stating that patients are being forcibly taken from their hospital beds and held in unknown locations.

Since early 2025, the M23 rebels have intensified their campaign in eastern DRC, capturing key towns and resulting in approximately 3,000 deaths, marking the most significant escalation in over a decade.

In a rapid three-week offensive, M23 seized control of Goma, the main city in eastern DRC, and Bukavu, the second-largest city in the country.

UN experts estimate that around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are supporting the M23 group, which aims for further territorial gains after seizing Goma.

The eastern DRC region is rich in valuable minerals such as gold and coltan, which are crucial for producing consumer electronics, making it strategically important.

Rwanda accuses DRC of harboring ethnic Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide, while M23 claims to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination.

Recent violence in Bukavu included explosions during an M23 rally, resulting in at least 11 deaths and many injuries.

Recent clashes in Goma have resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities, according to UN reports, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing conflict.

M23 rebels have abducted at least 130 patients from two hospitals in Goma, eastern Congo, as reported by the United Nations on March 3, 2025.

The assaults occurred during the night of March 2 to March 3, targeting CBCA Ndosho Hospital, from which 116 patients were taken, and Heal Africa Hospital, which lost 15 patients.