SUMMARY

The non-state conflict between the Patriotic and Integrationist Forces of the Congo (FPIC) and the Patriotic Resistance Forces of Ituri (FRPI) was rooted in longstanding militia rivalries in Ituri Province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both groups had emerged from earlier waves of ethnic and armed conflict in the region, their violence in 2022 and 2023 was largely driven by local competition over territory and natural resources, especially gold mining sites. The fighting escalated following mutual accusations of cattle rustling and direct clashes over control of mining quarries, particularly in Irumu territory.

Both sides framed their attacks as necessary responses to provocations by the other. In particular, FPIC fighters accused FRPI of illegal activities in Tulabo and surrounding areas, while FRPI contested FPIC 's attempts to assert dominance over economically valuable zones such as mining quarries.

The conflict was characterized by direct armed confrontations and most incidents involved gun battles in rural villages, frequently resulting in high numbers of combatant casualties although civilians were occasionally caught in the crossfire or killed during raids. Several attacks also involved the burning of homes and looting.

The violence remained confined to the Irumu territory of the Ituri province, DR Congo (Zaire). The conflict remained localized, with repeated clashes occurring in and around the same areas, such as the villages of Tulabo, Kalingi, Kombokabo, and Bisianza.

The non-state conflict between FPIC and FRPI was first included in UCDP data in 2022. On 22 July of that year, violent clashes broke out between the two groups in the villages of Kalingi and Tulabo in Irumu territory, resulting in 25 fatalities. The fighting followed mutual accusations of cattle rustling and escalated when FPIC attempted to take full control of a local mining quarry, which FRPI opposed.