Brutal killings, rape and other crimes allegedly carried out by the ethnic Lendu community in Ituri province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to the United Nations.

The most recent attacks starting in March against civilians not only targeted the Hema and Alur communities, but included communities in the area who had previously been spared, said the UNJRHO report.

#DRC: UN #humanrights report finds killings, rapes other forms of violence targeting Hema community in DRC province of Ituri may amount to crimes against humanity.

The fighting between rebel groups morphed into ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu communities.

"There is a high risk that leaders with more radical positions will emerge and plunge the area into a more serious cycle of violence, with even more attacks against (the army) and civilians," UNJRHO said in the report.