Rebels kill at least 7 civilians in attacks in eastern Congo

Kinhasa: A representative of civil society groups in eastern Congo says rebels have killed at least seven civilians in two attacks.

Omar Kavota said yesterday that rebels from the Allied Defense Forces-NALU launched attacks against Congo's military and during clashes in Mukoko four civilians were killed. He said members of the group also attacked the army in Tenambo, killing three civilians and injuring four. Fighting continued in the villages near the town of Beni in Congo's North Kivu province.

Kavota, the executive director of the rights group, said many families were forced to flee.

The area has been the site of repeated attacks by the rebels, who have origins in neighboring Uganda.

Eastern Congo is home to myriad armed groups, many vying for control of the region's vast mineral resources.