In what seems to be an escalation of hostility between the two neighbors, Rwandan armed forces have fired at a combat jet from the Republic of the Congo.
The DR Congo’s Sukhoi-25 fighter plane has breached Rwanda’s airspace three times in the last three months, causing Rwanda to take “defensive actions,” according to Kigali.
In part, a government statement issued on Tuesday evening states, “Today at 17h03, a Sukhoi-25 from DR Congo breached Rwanda airspace for the third time.”
“Defense measures were taken.”
The succinct remark was made as social media users began to post footage and pictures of a Sukhoi-25 being shot at as aircraft flew low before landing at Goma airport close to the border while still on fire.
The Soviet Union-built aircraft sustained visible damage before the fire was finally put out.
A Sukhoi-25 warplane breached Rwanda’s airspace on November 7 of last year, briefly touching down at Rubavu airfield in Western Province.
Tensions between Rwanda and Congo have risen in recent months as a result of Rwanda’s support for armed movements in eastern Congo.
Kinshasa accuses Kigali of arming M23 insurgents in order to destabilize North Kivu.
In recent years, this is the first time the troops of the two nations have engaged in actual conflict.
Kinshasa has not yet responded to the development. Both countries maintain militarily equipped troops along their shared border.