DR Congo launches strikes against FDLR Hutu rebels

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched its first strikes as part of a long-awaited offensive against Rwandan Hutu rebels. 

Ministers had previously pledged to target the FDLR militants after they failed to meet a deadline to disarm last month.

Some FDLR leaders have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Their presence in DR Congo has been a key factor behind two decades of conflict in the region.

Rwanda, led by a Tutsi-dominated government, has twice invaded its neighbour demanding that the FDLR be disarmed.

The UN mission in DR Congo recently withdrew its support for the offensive because it involved two government generals accused of human rights abuses.

Tuesday's attack took place in the South Kivu province, about 10km (six miles) from the border with Burundi, the military said.

However, a source with the rebels told the BBC they had been informed of the attack in advance and had already withdrawn.

DR Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende confirmed that troops had not met any resistance when they captured an FDLR position. Ten weapons have been seized, he said. 

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