The United Nations says thousands of refugees are missing, and may have been killed by the Congolese soldiers with or without the 'help' of Rwandan soldiers. Other, smaller, mass repatriations occurred along the borders with Burundi and Tanzania. Since they returned, the rebels have been launching attacks from bases in the heavily forested Virunga mountain range along Rwanda's northern border. In July clashes between the army and the rebels in northern Rwanda left more than 170 people dead, including civilians. The recent surge in violence in this part of Rwanda has almost paralysed the region.
Soldiers patrol the roads and travel is possible only during daylight hours.
International human rights workers say that hundreds of civilians have been killed in other attacks by the military, often in reprisal for rebel assaults. Human rights groups have accused the Rwandan military of indiscriminate use of force and attacking those it suspects of aiding the rebels. Attack on refugees from Zaire Hutu rebels attacked a camp housing ethnic Tutsis during the last week of August in the north- western border region of Gisenyi. At least 131 refugees were killed and 30 wounded. Armed with assault rifles, machetes and clubs, the attackers raided Mudende camp during the night, torching tents made of plastic sheeting and opening fire on refugees sleeping inside.