6 dead as militia attacks east DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo's army has confirmed the death of at least 6 persons, including a child, after a malitia attack in the eastern part of the country on Wednesday.

According to reports, DRC officials have pointed fingers at the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militia with roots in neighbouring Uganda but at the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack near Beni town.

"Operations are in progress," army regional spokesperson Mak Hazukay said confirming details of the attack and the army response. "The ADF are in disarray."

News 24 revealed that several militias operate in the restive eastern DRC, a bloody legacy of two regional wars in 1990s that dragged in the country's neighbours.

An assessment by the United Nations said "strengthened cooperation between Monusco and the Congolese Army and Police is critical to sustain the gains made by the Congolese army during this latest offensive".

The ADF began as an Islamist rebellion hostile to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

It retreated back into eastern DRC in 1995 and appears to have halted raids inside Uganda while recruiting fighters of various nationalities. [News24]