Kinshasa, Dec. 2, (dpa/GNA) - About 50 civilians were killed amid fighting with M23 rebel forces in eastern Congo, according to the Congolese military on Thursday.
The country’s communications minister added that several civilians were forcefully recruited into the M23’s ranks during the Wednesday incident.
Clashes between the army and M23 forces have escalated since October. M23 is made up of former government soldiers who banded together as a rebel group in 2012. They are now one of about 130 armed groups in eastern Congo competing for control of valuable resources.
Talks are currently under way in Nairobi about finding a way to end the fighting. The talks are set to run through Saturday.
GNA