Rebels allegedly supported by Rwanda reportedly cause the death of at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a human rights organization.

The United Nations, military sources, and witness accounts have corroborated a report by Human Rights Watch, which attributes the recent killings of over 140 people in farming communities in North Kivu province, Eastern Congo, to a military campaign by the M23 group. The M23 is a prominent armed group fighting for control in Eastern Congo.

The report suggests involvement of the Rwandan military and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in M23 operations. Human Rights Watch alleges that M23 soldiers, accompanied by Rwandan soldiers, told witnesses to bury the bodies in the fields or leave them unburied, preventing families from organizing funerals.

The M23 group, which is accused of attacking over a dozen villages and farming areas in July, is said to have Rwandan government backing. Willy Ngoma, identified as a commander of the M23 rebel group, is reported by Human Rights Watch to have played a leading role in the July attacks on civilians in Eastern Congo. However, Ngoma has called the report "military propaganda". The U.N. report did not receive a comment from Ngoma.

The majority of the victims were Hutus, according to Human Rights Watch. This could escalate tensions in Congo's mineral-rich east, where partners have been working towards a permanent ceasefire since January.

It is important to note that nearly 2 million Hutus from Rwanda fled to Congo after the 1994 Rwandan genocide that killed 800,000 Tutsi, moderate Hutus, and others. Rwandan authorities accused the Hutus who fled of participating in the genocide. The Congolese army is alleged to have protected the Hutus who fled by Rwanda.

The conflict in Congo's east is described as one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian crises on Earth by the U.N. There was no immediate comment from the Rwandan government regarding the report.

The human rights group Human Rights Watch urges all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The escalating violence in Eastern Congo poses a significant threat to the region's stability and the well-being of its people.

Rebels allegedly supported by Rwanda reportedly cause the death of at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a human rights organization.