Congo: 32 die in clash between army and militia

May 15, 2013 @ 8:55 am

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - The Congolese army says that 32 were killed in fighting between soldiers and Mai Mai militiamen.

The rebels launched an assault early Wednesday on the town of Beni, 220 miles (350 kilometers) north of Goma.

Army spokesman Col. Olivier Hamuli said the assailants targeted a military center there. At least 24 militiamen were killed and three soldiers died including a lieutenant colonel.

He said five others who were awaiting transfer to a military training center also were killed.

Resident Jean Kambale said heavy gunfire had rocked the town since early Wednesday but that calm had returned by the afternoon.

Eastern Congo has been wracked by fighting since the end of the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda and is home to a myriad of violent armed groups.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More World News
Top Stories

  • Behind the Wheel
    Police are patrolling for distracted drivers today

  • Tax Exempt Robocalls
    What the IRS kerfuffle could mean for the Tea Party and other political organizations

  • Chart Toppers
    Fresh voices & seasoned stars hit the red carpet of the Billboard Music Awards
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (1)


  • Add A Comment

  • mihalyim wrote...
    Got to love it.
    November 17, 2012 4:26 pm
    The UN can attack "rebels" in Congo fighting a civil war but if Israel protects itself from rocket attack they are condemned.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }