Content_paragraphs:  The situation in Ituri deteriorated as a result of the movement of dispersed ADF
  
  members from the Beni area into Irumu and Mambasa territories and subsequent
  
  attacks against civilians. It is estimated that some 250,000 civilians have been
  
  displaced since the beginning of 2020 owing to that development. Separately, in
  
  Djugu and Mahagi territories, armed assailants continued to target civilians and State
  
  security forces. Although the number of incidents showed a downward trend, at least
  
  39 civilians, including 6 women and 3 children, were killed during the reporting
  
  period. MONUSCO supported the Ituri Provincial Government in carrying out
  
  initiatives in favour of peaceful coexistence between the Alur and Lendu communities
  
  in the affected area. On 21 February, a group of assailants withdrew by agreement
  
  from villages in Mahagi territory that they had occupied for months. A joint
  
  verification team, composed of Alur and Lendu community leaders, witnessed the
  
  withdrawal, which was a prerequisite for the continuation of the intercommunal peace
  
  process held under the auspices of the provincial authorities, with MONUSCO
  
  support.