ALBAWABA - The M23 armed group, that are backed by the Rwandan army, is now controlling a main town called Walikale in the Democratic Republic of Congo, AFP reported citing security sources Thursday.
According to local sources, the town is the last to be seized by the M23 group, which started a new operation against the DR Congo military.
"Walikale-centre is occupied by the M23... We retreated to avoid human losses," an officer in DRC's military (FARDC) told AFP. The source further noted that M23 fighters are currently about 30 kilometres away in Mubi.
Another security force source confirmed the information about Walikale town and said that fighting was also reported in Mubi town on March 19.
The government in DR Congo accused Rwanda of helping the M23 group with the aim of getting its hands on valuable mineral resources in the east.
However, the Rwandan government rejected the allegations of arming the group, however, a UN experts' report found Rwanda maintains around 4,000 troops in the DRC's east to assist the group, AFP added.
