DRC M23 rebels denies shooting down UN chopper

Eight peacekeepers belonging to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (Monusco) died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday in North Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

MONUSCO says initial findings indicate, “the crash was caused by a luminous object”.

It adds that it is not ruling out the possibility of an attack.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield have condemned the attacks.

The crash occurred amid military clashes between the Congolese army (Fardc) and the M23 rebels in four localities in North Kivu.

The army and the rebels are blaming each other for the attack on the helicopter.

Guterres is deeply concerned “by the resurgence of M23 activities”.

The video below looks at the fighting between M23 rebel group and government troops in northern Kivu: