Uganda deployed more forces to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the growing risk of a widening conflict in the unrest-prone, mineral-rich region.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan troops have entered the eastern Congolese city of Bunia to help local forces stop deadly violence by armed groups, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

The Ugandan troop deployment comes as the Congolese army faces a major challenge from rebel groups seeking to control the mineral-rich region.

Ugandan troops have entered Bunia, an eastern Congolese city, to support local forces in curbing violence by armed groups. Following a meeting with Congolese troops, a joint deployment was agreed to address ethnic violence.

Ugandan forces have entered the city of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the request of local authorities. The intention is to safeguard the civilian population from rebel assaults. At the request of the country's authorities,

Uganda's army on Tuesday said it had deployed troops in the town of Bunia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight local militias.

Uganda will attack the town of Bunia in neighbouring eastern Congo unless "all forces" there surrender their arms within 24 hours, the chief of Ugandan defence forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said in a post on X on Saturday.

Panic and looting are sweeping through eastern Congo’s second largest city as residents flee by the thousands to escape the looming advance of Rwanda-backed rebels

Ugandan troops have entered the city of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the request of local authorities. According to the statement, the purpose is to protect the civilian population from rebel attacks.

Ugandan troops have entered the city of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the request of local authorities. According to a statement, their purpose is to protect the civilian population from rebel attacks.