UN Security Council Approves Force to Engage Rebels in Congo
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The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved creation of an “intervention brigade” that can hunt down and open fire on armed rebels in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 15-member body voted today for a change from traditional UN peacekeeping forces, which can’t retaliate unless attacked. Despite the presence of a 20,000-person UN force, armed groups have thrived in the country’s remote eastern hills for more than a decade. M23 rebels captured the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in November before withdrawing in December.