At least 30 people have been killed and another 10 wounded in fighting between rival sectarian militias in the Central African Republic (CAR), police say.
Officials say most of those who died in the central town of Dekoa were civilians hit by stray bullets.
The predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militia attacked positions held by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels, they say.
CAR exploded into violence in early December amid mounting resentment toward a Muslim-led government.
Muslim rebels seized power in March 2013 by overthrowing President Francois Bozize - who had been in power for a decade.
Continue reading the main story
Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga and Imam Oumar Kobine Layama in CAR (April 2014)
The rebel leader who replaced him, President Michel Djotodia, was accused of failing to prevent his forces from raping, torturing and killing civilians - particularly among the country's Christian majority.
When Mr Djotodia's government fell in January, Christian militia fighters began attacking Muslim civilians in retaliation.
Thousands have been killed since the conflict began and tens of thousands more have fled the country. The UN says that about 1.3 million people - a quarter of the population - are in need of aid.
Fighting escalates
The UN Security Council is due to vote on Thursday on expanding the nearly 5,000-strong African mission in CAR into a UN peacekeeping operation.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned of "ethno-religious cleansing" in CAR, with lynchings, decapitations and sexual violence all going unpunished.
Some 6,000 African and 2,000 French peacekeepers are currently struggling to keep the violence in check.
Correspondents say that they face a hugely difficult task as Seleka rebels, who have been pushed north from the capital, Bangui, attempt to regroup.
French military police have, however, begun patrolling the streets of Bangui as the first part of a new European Union combat force which is expected to number 800 troops by the end of May.
Escalation
In the latest violence, police said that the anti-Balaka militia attacked Seleka positions early on Tuesday morning in Dekoa, about 300km (180 miles) north of Bangui.
They said that the fighting escalated when the Seleka called in reinforcements and went on for more than four hours.
"Most of the victims were civilians who were hit by stray bullets," a police source told the AFP news agency.
Meanwhile the US ambassador to the UN on Wednesday urged more support for African and French troops in CAR ahead the UN peacekeeping vote.
Ambassador Samantha Power - currently in CAR - said that the African peacekeeping mission was working hard to fill the gap left by the departure of about 850 troops from neighbouring Chad and were being deployed into the areas they previously guarded.
CAR is rich in gold, diamonds and other natural resources but decades of unrest and mismanagement have left most of its people stuck in poverty.
Latest Stories
-
Mr. James Yalley Assuah Kwofie, IGP (RTD)
2 mins -
There’s no need to recall Parliament – Minority
11 mins -
Aya Institute advocates gender-responsive media as Ghana hosts 3rd African Media Convention
31 mins -
CAA II seniors to serve as Paris Olympics qualifier – Bawah Fuseini
48 mins -
Dr Bawumia’s vision will transform Ghana – Volta NPP Chair
1 hour -
Only those who decide to play the ‘fool’ stay married – Real Warri Pikin
1 hour -
Cedi can only stabilse temporarily but will keep on depreciating – Prof Bokpin
1 hour -
Finance Ministry develops financial strategy to support SMEs
1 hour -
AfCFTA mission can’t be achieved without digital inclusion – AfCFTA Secretary General
1 hour -
Kukuom voter registration disturbance a bad signal for election 2024 – Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu
2 hours -
3i Summit: Ghana signs $200 million MoU with EBID to support SMEs – Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
Premier League-bound Leicester City and Belgian clubs chase Ghanaian midfielder Michael Baidoo
2 hours -
BoG gives government money to chop; and then we’re burdened with high taxes – Ken Thompson
2 hours -
Is social media worth paying for?
2 hours -
Bawumia cuts sod for construction of Gambaga Sports Complex
2 hours