THE United Nations on Saturday condemned the bombing of two camps for displaced peoples in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which killed at least 12 people.

The UN called the attacks on the Lac Vert and Mununga fields camps, near the city of Goma, a “flagrant violation of human rights and international law and may constitute a war crime.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ndjike Kaiko, a spokesman for the Congolese army, blamed the deadly attacks on the M23 rebel force, which reportedly has links to neighbouring Rwanda.

M23 has waged a two-year offensive against the DRC government and is reportedly closing in on the eastern city of Goma, prompting thousands of people to flee the city and surrounding areas.

Aid group Save The Children said that it was present at one of the camps when the shells landed near a busy market in front of its vehicle. 

They reported seeing dozens of injured people, mostly women and children, but were unable to confirm the numbers killed.

But Jean Jonas Yaovi Tossa, a UN spokesperson, said at least 12 people were killed and more than 20 wounded in the attacks.

In a statement posted on the X social media platform M23 denied any involvement in the attacks and, without evidence, put the blame on Congolese forces.