News AP News Congo rebels attack, burn homes near UN base in east

Congo rebels attack, burn homes near UN base in east

Congo's army spokesman says rebels have burned homes and a car in a neighborhood in the country's east where U.N. peacekeeping forces have a base

Congo rebels attack, burn homes near UN base in east Image Source : APCongo rebels attack, burn homes near UN base in east

BENI, Congo (AP) — Congo's army spokesman says rebels have burned homes and a car in a neighborhood in the east of the country where U.N. peacekeeping forces have a base.

The attack late Friday into Saturday comes days after eight U.N. peacekeepers and at least 12 Congolese soldiers were killed in a joint military operation against the Allied Democratic Forces rebels in their Kididiwe stronghold near Beni.

Capt. Mak Hazukay Mongha said Saturday that three houses and a car were burned overnight in the Boikene neighborhood.

Congo's volatile east is home to many armed groups vying for control of the mineral-rich region. A week of intense fighting has displaced many.

The area is also facing a deadly Ebola outbreak.

Since October 2014, ADF fighters have killed more than 1,500 people in Beni region.

Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.