6,000 flee homes in DRC after militants attack on 10 villages: Officials

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - More than 6,000 people have abandoned their homes in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after clashes broke out between the army and rebels, local officials said on Monday.

"More than 6,000 people from 10 villages have abandoned their homes after clashes between the army and CODECO militiamen in the territory of Djugu in Ituri province," Lt. Faustin Leku, a security officer in Ituri province told Anadolu Agency.

The CODECO militia, one of a myriad of armed groups that roam eastern DR Congo, is an armed political-religious sect claiming to defend the Lendu ethnic group, largely farmers who have had historic differences with their Hema community counterparts, who are mainly herders.

CODECO has reportedly been linked to more than 1,000 deaths since 2017.

"When the army learned that militiamen attacked the villages, it quickly deployed soldiers to counter them," said Leku on the clashes that began on Sunday and are ongoing, adding that at least three people have been killed in the fighting with a few others missing.

He also said that most of those who escaped made their way roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest to the Kabakaba area.

A local leader, Philip Muzeyi, said the militants, as they were fleeing the security forces, looted the villagers' deserted homes.​​​​​​​