Eastern Congo hit by rebel attacks; 45 civilians killed

DRC Defence Forces gather in the North Kivu province village of Mukondi Thursday, March 9, 2023. [AP Photo]

The death toll from several attacks this week by extremist rebels in eastern Congo has risen to at least 45 people, local officials said on Friday.

Dozens of people were killed by rebels using machetes over two days when rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces, a militia with links to the Islamic State group, killed civilians in several villages in North Kivu province, said Saidi Balikwisha, the province's deputy.