FDLR kill more DRC soldiers,burn houses –says MONUC

After killing several DRC soldiers including a Major and a Captain, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have been blamed for killing two more Congolese soldiers.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

After killing several DRC soldiers including a Major and a Captain, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have been blamed for killing two more Congolese soldiers.

FDLR is said to have struck again over the weekend in Kiseguru village of Rutshuru territory, about 90 kilometers north east of DRC’s eastern provincial capital Goma.

"According to reports, FDLR killed two and injured one FARDC soldier and a woman at Kisheguru village in North Kivu,” Lt Col Jean-Paul Dietrich, MONUC’s Chief Military Spokesperson confirmed through an email yesterday.

"Our patrol reported that 20-25 huts were also burnt in the village. Due to efforts of MONUC patrol and locals’, the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire village. Nevertheless, the situation in the area remains tense.”

Dietrich also reported a fire fight involving a new group called Mai-mai Apele in Misau village, 20 kilometres south west of Pinga in North Kivu on June 24.

Seven of the Mai-mai combatants were killed in the fight.
According to Dietrich, NGO’s have reported that on June 25, FDLR soldiers burnt FARDC Camps in various villages of Ihembe locality in South-Kivu.

He added that on Sunday, MONUC troops reported two FARDC supplies vehicles were ambushed in Kasika area in South Kivu as well, and a joint MONUC-FARDC patrol sent to evacuate the injured came under fire from the FDLR.

The attackers fled leaving three – including a FARDC officer, injured and two vehicles destroyed.

Ends