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Fighting erupts between rebels and army in eastern Congo
May 20, 2013, 12:20 pm

[Getty Images]

The rebel forces have claimed they are even ready to attack the UN intervention force [Getty Images]

Fighting between army soldiers and rebels from the armed group M23 Movement broke out on Monday in North-Kivu provincial capital of Goma in eastern DR Congo, according to local sources.

The M23 movement have threatened to attack the towns of Goma, Beni and Butembo in North-Kivu province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) since late April.

The rebel forces have claimed they are even ready to attack the UN intervention force if their bases are under fire.

The rebel group, emerging in April 2012, seized control of Goma in December last year, but withdrew from the town 10 days later under the pressure of Great Lakes countries for a peaceful solution.

In March this year the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolved to move its presence in the DRC from a stabilisation and peace-keeping force to an interventionist one.

The resolution gave the 3,069-strong brigade the mandate to neutralise about 40 armed groups operating in the country.

South Africa is one of the many countries contributing troops to the force.

Source: Agencies