GOMA, DR Congo: At least 15 people were killed and thousands other flee after Rwanda-backed M23 rebel attacked in DR Congo’s lawless eastern part on Monday.
According to the information from locals, health workers and government officials the attacks took place in the Rutshuru region of the eastern province of North Kivu.
Fighting between the mostly Tutsi M23 rebels and Congolese government forces has increased in recent days in the regions of Rutshuru and Masisi. The access to the North Kivu capital Goma has been severed virtually.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations and Western states accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebels in an attempt to control vast mineral resources. The government of Rwanda, however, always denied the allegations.
According to the sources fighting started in several areas north of Goma.
Local official Maisha Faustin said that around four in the morning, the M23 attacked forces of DR Congo in Kirima, adding that they had also cut off a major supply route of the Congolese army.
15 people including children died in clashes
He went on to say that at Nyanzale, about 10 kilometres away from Kirima, at least 15 people including children died in the clashes.
Ombeni Gasiga, a leading civil society member in Nyanzale said bombs were thrown on the residents forcing the whole population to flee the area.
A worker at a health facility said they were forced to flee with the sick to save their lives.
Different sources said at least 10 people, including children, died when a small missile fell near a building.
A health worker claimed at least 12 people were injured in the incident and five of them died, including three children.
The European Union on Monday joined the United States and France in denouncing the government of Rwanda in deteriorating the situation in DR Congo.
