9 Dead, Hundreds of Homes Burned in Attack in Central African Republic

A violent attack in northern Central African Republic on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of nine people and the destruction of over 700 homes, according to local officials.

The assault was reportedly carried out by the “3R” (Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation) militia, a self-defense group formed during the country’s civil war.

A spokesperson for the group claimed they attacked the village of Nzoro due to a dispute over stolen cattle.

However, Nzoro’s mayor, Bertrand Audin Dimanche, stated that he was unaware of the exact reason for the attack.

He condemned the 3R rebels, accusing them of disregarding human life and carrying out politically motivated killings. He also criticized the government for failing to protect civilians.

The central government expressed deep concern over the incident and promised to release an official statement in response.

For over a decade, rebel groups have operated with little restraint in the region, disrupting foreign mining operations and worsening instability.

Despite its vast mineral wealth—including gold and diamonds—Central African Republic remains one of the poorest nations in the world.