BANGUI
At least 30 people were killed in clashes between Muslim seleka militia and Christian anti-balaka militia in Dekoa, a town around 300 kilometers north of Central African capital Bangui, a church source said Wednesday.
According to the source, anti-balaka militiamen attacked old seleka sites in Dekoa on Tuesday.
"After hours of fighting, more reinforcements arrived from Kaga Bandoro, around 60 kilometers from Dekoa, to support the seleka," the source told Anadolu Agency.
The violence had prompted local residents to flee the area, the source said.
The seleka were besieged in the northern parts of the Central African Republic since France sent troops into the country in December to halt bloodshed.
They have been the target of repeated attacks by anti-balaka who also attacked Muslim civilians, forcing them to collectively seek asylum in neighboring countries.
According to the UN refugee agency, around 173,000 people have become internally displaced since December, while 37,000 others have fled to neighboring countries.
By Sylvestre Krock
englishnews@aa.com.tr
