UN Helicopter comes under rebel fire in East Congo

The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo says a U.N. helicopter has come under rebel fire for the second time in a week.

 

Martin Kobler said the gunfire Friday morning came from the direction of positions occupied by the M23 rebel movement in Kibumba. The chopper wasn't hit.

 

The attack came as Kobler and others gathered in the Ugandan capital for talks between the Congolese government and M23 rebels.

 

The M23 fighters launched their rebellion last year, and briefly held the city of Goma in November 2012. An upsurge in violence in August sparked fears of renewed conflict as repeated peace talks have failed to produce results.

 

The Congolese military is now being aided by a U.N. mission with a stronger mandate that allows them to fight rebels.

 

-Sapa-AP