'Thousands flee' DR Congo offensive

London, 15 July-(ANA)-About 40,000 people have fled their homes in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo following fighting, UK charity Oxfam has said.

The violence erupted at the end of June when the army went on the offensive against Ugandan rebel group ADF-Nalu which is based in DR Congo.

An Oxfam spokeswoman said that whole villages had been burned down.

DR Congo agreed with Uganda earlier this year to go after all armed groups in the east of the country.

The offensive was intended to root out all "negative elements", Kinshasa said at the time.

Eastern DR Congo, which has proliferation of rebel groups, has seen severe fighting in recent years and nearly two million people have been been forced from their homes.

The UN says some of those fleeing the recent fighting are heading towards the town of Beni in North Kivu province.(ANA)

FA/ANA/15 July 2010------