India, March 28 -- The United Nations' acting top envoy for Congo warned the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday that the conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo is escalating and expanding, with increasing use of heavy weapons and offensive drones posing serious risks to civilians.

Vivian van de Perre said that despite the withdrawal of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and their allies from the town of Uvira under international pressure in January, clashes are escalating in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu between the M23 and Congolese army forces and their supporters.

"The situation in South Kivu remains tense and the renewed hostilities have expanded and shifted the front lines, including toward Burundi's border, increasing the r...