| Several United Nations peacekeepers have been killed during an armed ambush in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the country's UN mission. The attack happened on Friday morning in the north-eastern Ituri region, where 4,800 peacekeepers are deployed. A UN spokesman said the troops were ambushed by "unidentified armed elements" while they were on patrol. He said there were no further details on the exact number or nationality of the victims. However, a UN source quoted by Reuters news agency said at least eight had been killed. The UN force in Ituri includes peacekeepers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco and Nepal. Violence between rival militias resumed in the mineral-rich province in December, and aid workers say tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting - many fleeing to neighbouring Uganda. |