Shootout between Congolese army, rebels leaves 21 dead

By Ahmet Emin Donmez

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AA) - At least 21 civilians were killed in a shootout between the army and rebels in Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported Monday.

The encounter in Lipri village between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) lasted for two days, according to reports.

Security forces are maintaining control in the area.

A military siege was declared by President Felix Tshisekedi on May 7, 2021 to control security in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where violence is on the rise.

At least 6,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed since 2014 in attacks by rebels operating in the east of the country.

The country’s east, where the border with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi is located, has been the scene of attacks and clashes by armed groups trying to gain control of gold and cobalt mines for 20 years.

*Writing by Merve Berker