Fighting reportedly flared on Monday (Feb. 19) between DR Congo’s army and M23 rebels.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a security source said clashes began at 5:am in the Kitshanga area, northwest of the main eastern city of Goma.
The fighting come as regional leaders called once again on Friday for a ceasefire and for all armed groups to withdraw from occupied territory by March 30.
It is believed that over 120 armed groups and self-defense militias fight in eastern DRC.
The M23 group whose name stands for the March 23 Movement, re-emerged from dormancy in November 2021, accusing the DRC of ignoring a promise to integrate its fighters into the army.
Winning a string of victories over state forces the rebels are now near the provincial capital Goma.
The Democratic Republic of Congo accuses its neighbor Rwanda of backing the rebels, a charge supported by a group of UN experts, which Kigali denies.
By Rédaction Africanews and AFP
