Democratic Republic of Congo: DRC troops shell March 23 Movement (M23) rebel bases
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s military has been shelling positions it believes are held by rebels who have been fighting the army for weeks in the country’s east.
The rebels are fighters who were integrated into the national army under a 2009 peace deal, but who later defected, complaining of poor conditions.
The fighting since late April has driven tens of thousands of people to flee to neighbouring countries, including Uganda.
Security sources say the government troops are advancing, isolating the mutineers - now understood to number about 300 fighters hiding in forested hill country - yet residents are suffering, and fear there is worse to come.