DRC: Christians caught in crossfire

Church services have been cancelled as fighting continues to intensify in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – with 70 Christians found beheaded in one church.

M23 rebels, who have been seizing territory since early 2022 with the help of around 4,000 Rwandan troops, now control the two of the largest cities in DRC - Goma and Bukavu.

Historically the rebels, who portray themselves as freedom fighters protecting ethnic minorities, have targeted Christians. In this latest attack, churches have again found themselves caught in the crossfire, with most services in rebel-controlled areas cancelled, and reports of damage to some buildings.