Dhaka, Aug. 20 -- Rebel fighters have killed at least 52 civilians in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent days, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country said on Monday.

Attacks from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) targeted several villages in the North Kivu province between August 9 and 16, the mission, called MONUSCO, said, warning that the toll could go up.

"The violence was accompanied by kidnappings, looting, the burning of houses, vehicles, and motorcycles, as well as the destruction of property belonging to populations already facing a precarious humanitarian situation," MONUSCO said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from The New Nation....