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Rebel raids 'spreading in Congo' Rebel raids 'spreading in Congo'
(30 minutes later)
The situation in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where Lord's Resistance Army rebels operate is getting worse, a medical charity says.The situation in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where Lord's Resistance Army rebels operate is getting worse, a medical charity says.
Medecins Sans Frontieres told the BBC hundred of thousands of people are fleeing renewed rebel attacks.Medecins Sans Frontieres told the BBC hundred of thousands of people are fleeing renewed rebel attacks.
LRA leader Joseph Kony once operated from Uganda but his fighters now cover a vast area of central Africa.LRA leader Joseph Kony once operated from Uganda but his fighters now cover a vast area of central Africa.
Analysts says attempts this year by regional armed forces to halt the brutal campaign have so far failed.Analysts says attempts this year by regional armed forces to halt the brutal campaign have so far failed.
The rebels are infamous for carrying out mutilations, kidnappings and rapes.
Tens of thousands of people have died and many more have been made homeless during the LRA's two-decade insurgency.
'Living in fear'
MSF says roads are now so insecure that aircraft are being used to take supplies and staff to remote locations.MSF says roads are now so insecure that aircraft are being used to take supplies and staff to remote locations.
LRA rebels often mutilate their victims, cutting off lips, ears and noses
"The situation is really bad: the people are living in constant fear, they're fleeing," MSF's Operational Director Meine Nicolai told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The situation is really bad: the people are living in constant fear, they're fleeing," MSF's Operational Director Meine Nicolai told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"The violence pops up in different areas and it's really expanding. It came to Congo in 2008 and now it's going more and more eastwards so the area is expanding and people live in constant fear.""The violence pops up in different areas and it's really expanding. It came to Congo in 2008 and now it's going more and more eastwards so the area is expanding and people live in constant fear."
Ms Nicolai said civilians were clearly being targeted.Ms Nicolai said civilians were clearly being targeted.
"People are kidnapped, raped, their houses are burned ; they're fleeing, they leave everything and there's no way that they can return.""People are kidnapped, raped, their houses are burned ; they're fleeing, they leave everything and there's no way that they can return."
Reports from the region suggest there are several groups of LRA fighters: some in DR Congo and another of about 1,300 in the Central African Republic, led by one of Mr Kony's deputies.
Mr Kony himself is reportedly moving northwards.
Sources suggest this group may be being harassed by Ugandan special forces operating helicopters from Yambio in southern Sudan.
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says there are also suggestions, yet to be confirmed, that Mr Kony's aim is to take his forces into the Sudanese region of South Darfur.
Last year Mr Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, failed to sign a peace deal with the Uganda government brokered by southern Sudan.