{{The M23 rebels in DRCongo have this morning announced that their fighters are engaged in a fierce battle against a coalition of Congolese forces, UN intervention brigade and FDLR rebels.
According to a statement released by the M23 rebels, the allout attack on their positions is seen as a rapture of the Kampala peace talks and an invitation of an allout war.}}
Below is a full statement from the M23 rebels
{The leadership of the Movement of March 23 informs the national and international opinion that the Congolese Government has just decided to launch, this morning, a large-scale offensive on all the positions of the Movement of 23 Mars to the North of Goma.
Several FARDC and FDLR infantry brigades alongside U.N. special intervention brigade troops , beefed up by dozens of Tanks and helicopter gunships, troops of the Brigade of Intervention including, have simultaneously been fielded. They are right now exchanging fires with our troops on the KANYARUCINYA-KIBATI and MUTAHO axis.
Our Movement reckons that the option of the violence made by the Government of Kinshasa for the resolution of this conflict is a clear decision to rupture the Kampala peace talks from which all the Congolese delegates were ordered to pull out some time back.
The Movement of March 23, which unreservedly chose the path of dialogue, is now regrettably compelled to defend itself against the government, FDLR and U.N. coalition. We call on the entire Congolese national community and the international community to witness the consequences of this unjust and useless war for which the Congolese Government along with its partners bear total responsibility.
Our Movement regrets that the strategy we adopted consisting in not drawing advantage from the losses we inflicted upon the enemy, and to content ourselves only with the defense of our positions, as determined by the Declaration of the ICGLR Heads of State on November 24th, 2013, was reckoned as a sign of weakness. This has regrettably induced the Government’s violence option.
We invite all the populations living within the confines of the area protected by the Movement of March 23 to remain at peace. Our forces have been given strict orders to defend our territory and ensure the protection of all the inhabitants and their property.
God save our People.}
Done at Bunagana, August 28, 2013
The Chairman of the Movement of March 23
Bertrand BISIMWA
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