The move by the Democratic Republic of Congo comes amid heightened tensions with neighboring Rwanda following the recent escalation of conflict in eastern DRC.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially closed its airspace to all civil and state aircraft that are either registered in or based in Rwanda, as reported by the state agency.

Congolese airport authorities issued an internal directive enforcing a "formal ban on overflight and landing on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for all civil and state aircraft registered in Rwanda or those registered elsewhere but based in Rwanda." This measure was implemented due to the ongoing insecurity caused by armed conflict, according to a report from Agence Congolaise de Presse on Tuesday.

The decision coincides with the resumption of clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces on the Lubero front in North Kivu province, located in eastern Congo.

Since January 26, the conflict has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, 2,880 injuries, and the displacement of more than 500,000 people, adding to the already staggering number of 6.4 million internally displaced individuals, according to the United Nations.

At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa, have lost their lives in the ongoing clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. The bodies of the fallen South African soldiers are expected to be repatriated on Thursday.

The M23 rebels have claimed control of Goma and declared their own administration in the city.

The Congolese government in Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and deploying its forces in eastern Congo since the latest offensive began. However, Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations.