Scores of children raped by armed men in eastern DRC, UNICEF says

All parties to the conflict between M23 rebels and Congolese forces are suspected of committing violence, UNICEF says [Moses Sawasawa/AP]

Scores of children caught up in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been subjected to sexual violence including rape by armed men, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The targeting of children has soared to unprecedented levels in recent weeks, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned on Thursday, making an urgent appeal for the violence to stop as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels expand their footprint, clashing with Congolese forces and their allied militias.