Congo's president, Felix Tshisekedi, called the attack 'a heinous terrorist act.' Meanwhile, M23 accused the Congolese authorities of being behind the attack, saying they implemented a plan of exterminating civilian populations.
"The capture of this airport is of strategic importance. This would cut off the entire east from the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo and make it more difficult to supply the Congolese army with military equipment and troops."