page_title: United Nations Force Intervention Brigade
section_title: Engagement with M23
hierarchical_section_title: United Nations Force Intervention Brigade / Actions / Engagement with M23
caption_attribution_description: Elements of MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade patrol on the main road connecting the towns of Sake and Kibati in the northwest of Goma, North Kivu province, during the clashes that opposed the M23 rebel group to the National Defense Forces (FARDC) at the end of October 2013. Photo: MONUSCO/Clara Padovan Des éléments de la Brigade d’Intervention de la MONUSCO en patrouille sur la voie principale menant de Sake à Kibati, deux villes situées au Nord-Ouest de Goma dans la province du Nord Kivu. Ces mouvements de patrouille s’étaient effectués lors des combats ayant opposé le groupe rebelle M23 aux Forces Armées congolaises (FARDC) vers la fin du mois d’octobre 2013. Photo&#160;: MONUSCO/Clara Padovan
context_page_description: The United Nations Force Intervention Brigade is a military formation which constitutes part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was authorized by the United Nations Security Council on 28 March 2013 through Resolution 2098. Although it is not the first instance in which the use of force was authorized by the UN, the Force Intervention Brigade is the first UN peacekeeping operation specifically tasked to carry out targeted offensive operations to "neutralize and disarm" groups considered a threat to state authority and civilian security. In this case, the main target was the M23 militia group, as well as other Congolese and foreign rebel groups. While such operations do not require the support of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Force Intervention Brigade often acts in unison with the FARDC to disarm rebel groups.
context_section_description: In what is widely regarded as its greatest success, the Force Intervention Brigade played an important role in driving out the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in October 2013. This offensive came after intelligence reports said that, should the Kampala peace talks fail, the M23 would launch its own attacks. In response, the Force Intervention Brigade joined the FARDC to split the M23 forces and dislodge the group from its military strongholds across North Kivu. By surrounding the rebels from the western, southern and northern fronts, the combined forces of the FARDC and Force Intervention Brigade were able to push M23 out of all its previous strongholds in only four days. Notable engagements included battles at Kanyamahoro, Kiwanga, Rutshuru and Rumangabo. As a result of the offensive, the M23 retreated into the Virunga mountains on the border of Rwanda in what has been considered a crushing military loss for the rebel group. With the arrival of Malawian troops earlier that month to contribute to the Force Intervention Brigade, this operation also marked the first time that all components of the Force Intervention Brigade worked completely together.
caption: FIB vehicles outside Goma in October 2013 during the unit's counteroffensive against M23 rebels
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