29 killed in 2 attacks in eastern DR Congo
Supporters of Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi burn a tyre as they demonstrate in Kinshasa on December 9, 2011. (AFP Photo)


Twenty-nine people have been killed in two attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region in the grip of militia violence, officials said Wednesday.

"CODECO assailants attacked the people of the village of Koli while they were asleep, killing 22 civilians," said Adel Alingi, head of the Djugu administrative region in Ituri province, referring to an armed group targeting the Hema ethnic community.

The raid took place overnight Saturday to Sunday.

In the second attack on Tuesday, two soldiers, a civilian and five militiamen were killed in Beni, in the neighboring North Kivu province, the army said.