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February 20, 2025

M23 Fighters Expand Offensive, Advance on More Cities in Eastern DRC 
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In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda-backed M23 fighters are
marching on the eastern city of Uvira near the border with Burundi,
triggering panic, with residents reporting widespread looting, bodies
lying in the streets, and government forces commandeering boats to
escape the insurgents' advance. M23 is also advancing on the city of
Butembo north of Goma, which the insurgents seized in late January in an
offensive that killed some 3,000 people. The U.N. High Commissioner for
Human Rights has accused M23 of killing children and attacking hospitals
and warehouses storing humanitarian aid. This is a UNHCR spokesperson. 

Ravina Shamdasani: "Our office has confirmed cases of summary execution
of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. We
are also aware that children were in possession of weapons. We call on
Rwanda and M23 to ensure that human rights and international
humanitarian law are respected."



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