70 Killed in Central African Republic Violence

KABUL: (Middle East Press) Almost 70 people have lost their lives and dozens others injured during sectarian violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) since last week.

According to officials on Tuesday, the first incident occurred on Sunday when at least 18 people were killed in and about the southwestern border towns of Gamboula and Nola, near Cameroon.

“Most of the residents were surprised in their sleep by the attackers who also torched dozens of houses,” a senior official stated.

Scores of people, including the injured, had managed to flee the area to the east and north, he added.

In another incident on December 19, anti-balaka militias, formed by the Christian majority, launched an attack against former insurgents of the largely-Muslim Seleka alliance in the central region of Bambari, leaving at least 20 people dead and injuring dozens others.

In a similar confrontation, a further 28 people were killed in clashes in the central area of Mbres last week.