UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – A special UN intervention brigade to counter militia groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has started patrols in the conflict zone, the UN said Monday.
About 870 of the expected force of up to 3,500 troops are already in the major eastern city of Goma, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told a briefing.
“The brigade has started operational activities in Goma, including day and night patrols” with other UN peackeepers, Nesirky said.
The brigade is the first to be authorized by the UN Security Council with an offensive mandate. It was set up after a rebellion in eastern DR Congo last year by the M23 militia, whose forces remain on the outskirts of Goma.
The United Nations also expects to start using drones in eastern DR Congo to monitor rebel forces and any aid they get across the border.