03/16/2007
IRIN

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NAIROBI, 16 March 2007 (IRIN) - Several civilians have been killed and homes burnt by the army in ongoing clashes with rebels in northwestern Central African Republic, an international advocacy group has said.

At least 20 houses were burnt by the army on 11 March, between Lia and Voh, about 30km south of Paoua, Refugees International (RI) said on Thursday. Three civilians, including a baby, were killed in a clash between the army and the rebel Armée Populaire pour la restauration de la république et la démocratie (APRD).

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"The violence belies assurances given to Refugees International by senior military personnel that house burnings would cease under direct orders from the President and their commander in Bangui, the capital," RI said.

On an extensive visit to the prefectures of Ouham and Ouham-Pendé, RI found burnt villages remained empty after residents fled to safety in rough settlements near their fields.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates there are 150,000 internally displaced people across the CAR. One million people live in the conflict-affected northwestern region.

"Refugees International was able to visit Voh and assess the damage to the village," it said. "While the walls of the mud brick houses were no longer hot to the touch, up to three inches of fine ash remained in the burnt houses, suggesting that the burning occurred recently. Metal cooking pots were randomly strewn among the ashes."

According to RI, house burning is a violation of international humanitarian law, as it targets the assets of civilian non-combatants. Poor villagers keep almost all their possessions in their homes.

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Aid organisations in the area have been advocating for the restoration of security in the region, saying security was needed to improve living conditions for civilians who seek safety in the bush.

A recent report by CARE, World Vision, the NRC and Human Rights Watch on the humanitarian situation in the region noted: "Civilians in the area are living in great fear as presidential guards often move into the zone to kill civilians and burn villages in reprisal for rebel activities there."