DRC claims 20 rebels killed
2008-09-23 08:42
Goma - Fresh fighting broke out on Monday between the army and rebel militia in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, with government forces claiming to have killed around 20 rebels.
The fighting took place close to Goma, capital of North Kivu province.
"Our forces pushed the rebels back this morning from Sake towards Mushaki," Major Omar Selamani told AFP, adding that the bodies of about 20 rebel fighters had been seen by the road outside Sake.
Laurent Nkunda's rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) confirmed the attack, but made no reference to rebel casualties.
The UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, known by the French acronym MONUC, had issued an urgent appeal 1to government forces and rebels on Saturday for a ceasefire.
"These new clashes would have a dramatic impact on civilians," it said, recalling that 1.3 million people have been displaced by the fighting.