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Rebels push back DR Congo troops Rebels push back DR Congo troops
(30 minutes later)
Government troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are withdrawing from their positions in Kibumba which is under attack by Tutsi rebels.Government troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are withdrawing from their positions in Kibumba which is under attack by Tutsi rebels.
General Laurent Nkunda's fighters have also opened up a new front 50km further north in Rubare, near Uganda.General Laurent Nkunda's fighters have also opened up a new front 50km further north in Rubare, near Uganda.
Rebels say their next target is the regional capital Goma, home to the UN headquarters, and where an estimated 20,000 people are fleeing.Rebels say their next target is the regional capital Goma, home to the UN headquarters, and where an estimated 20,000 people are fleeing.
They slept overnight in the rain - there was no aid because of insecurity.They slept overnight in the rain - there was no aid because of insecurity.
"We are having a lot of problems because we don't have food and we don't have water," Nick Bampengo, one of those fleeing, said."We are having a lot of problems because we don't have food and we don't have water," Nick Bampengo, one of those fleeing, said.
We simply cannot send teams out into the countryside... it's too dangerous; it's anarchy UNHCR's Ron RedmondWe simply cannot send teams out into the countryside... it's too dangerous; it's anarchy UNHCR's Ron Redmond
The pro-government Congolese Le Potentiel newspaper based in the capital, Kinshasa, is alleging that two battalions from the Rwandan army are fighting with Gen Nkunda's men.The pro-government Congolese Le Potentiel newspaper based in the capital, Kinshasa, is alleging that two battalions from the Rwandan army are fighting with Gen Nkunda's men.
Rwanda has been accused of backing Gen Nkunda, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's civil war ended.Rwanda has been accused of backing Gen Nkunda, who left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion after DR Congo's civil war ended.
He says he is fighting to protect the minority Tutsi community from the Hutu militia who carried out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.He says he is fighting to protect the minority Tutsi community from the Hutu militia who carried out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Riot police deployedRiot police deployed
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the region says one peacekeeper has been injured in the heavy battles that are continuing around Kibumba - which housed a displacement camp for those already displaced by fighting in the region.The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the region says one peacekeeper has been injured in the heavy battles that are continuing around Kibumba - which housed a displacement camp for those already displaced by fighting in the region.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7693828.stm">In pictures: Thousands flee fighting name="text">
Profile: Laurent NkundaEnlarged map of the fighting
UN forces backing the army have used attack helicopters and tanks to try and stop the rebel advance but say the rebels work in small groups making them difficult to locate and repulse.UN forces backing the army have used attack helicopters and tanks to try and stop the rebel advance but say the rebels work in small groups making them difficult to locate and repulse.
A spokesman for Gen Nkunda says Goma, 30km south of Kibumba, is their next target.A spokesman for Gen Nkunda says Goma, 30km south of Kibumba, is their next target.
Our reporter says it is extremely tense in the city.Our reporter says it is extremely tense in the city.
On Monday the UN headquarters there was stoned and one civilian was killed in demonstrations as people expressed their anger at what they see as the 17,000-strong UN force's failure to protect them.On Monday the UN headquarters there was stoned and one civilian was killed in demonstrations as people expressed their anger at what they see as the 17,000-strong UN force's failure to protect them.
UN vehicles were again stoned on Tuesday morning and riot police have been deployed across the city to prevent further demonstrations.UN vehicles were again stoned on Tuesday morning and riot police have been deployed across the city to prevent further demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the UN says fighting also broke out on Tuesday morning near the Ugandan border town of Rutshuru.Meanwhile, the UN says fighting also broke out on Tuesday morning near the Ugandan border town of Rutshuru.
At around 0600 local time (0300GMT), Gen Nkunda's fighters attacked Rubare, not far from where UN armoured personnel carriers were fired upon on Sunday.At around 0600 local time (0300GMT), Gen Nkunda's fighters attacked Rubare, not far from where UN armoured personnel carriers were fired upon on Sunday.
EvacuationEvacuation
Rutshuru houses tens of thousands of displaced people, some of whom are reported to be fleeing towards Uganda. Rutshuru houses tens of thousands of displaced people, some of whom are reported to be fleeing towards Uganda. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7693828.stm">In pictures: Thousands flee fighting
Profile: Laurent Nkunda
Reuters news agency reports that the UN is preparing to evacuate foreign aid workers from the town as the rebels advance.Reuters news agency reports that the UN is preparing to evacuate foreign aid workers from the town as the rebels advance.
"Normally there are around 50 staff in Rutshuru and surrounding areas," a UN spokesman told the agency."Normally there are around 50 staff in Rutshuru and surrounding areas," a UN spokesman told the agency.
Over the weekend the rebels captured a major army camp at Rumangabo and the headquarters of Virunga National Park.Over the weekend the rebels captured a major army camp at Rumangabo and the headquarters of Virunga National Park.
A peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and various rebel groups at the end of January.A peace deal was signed in Goma between the government and various rebel groups at the end of January.
Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has always refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area.Although he signed the deal, Gen Nkunda has always refused to disarm while Rwandan Hutu rebels still operate in the area.
About 200,000 people fled their homes after fighting resumed in the area in late August.About 200,000 people fled their homes after fighting resumed in the area in late August.
The United Nations says many refugees are malnourished and some are dying of hunger.The United Nations says many refugees are malnourished and some are dying of hunger.
Ron Redmond of the UN refugee agency says it almost impossible to reach those in need of help.Ron Redmond of the UN refugee agency says it almost impossible to reach those in need of help.
"We simply cannot send teams out into the countryside. There's too much fighting going on; it's too dangerous; it's anarchy," he said."We simply cannot send teams out into the countryside. There's too much fighting going on; it's too dangerous; it's anarchy," he said.
"There are already some 800,000 to a million people internally displaced in this region, so it's really a huge population in need of help.""There are already some 800,000 to a million people internally displaced in this region, so it's really a huge population in need of help."
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