Three Malawian soldiers killed in DR Congo: military spokesman

Three Malawian peacekeepers have been killed in clashes with Rwandan-backed M23 fighters in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a military spokesman told AFP on Saturday.

"We confirm the loss of three of our courageous soldiers who were part of the SADC Mission in the DRC," spokesman Emmanuel Mlelemba said, referring to the South African Development Community's SAMIDRC mission.

"These soldiers fell in the line of duty during an encounter with the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC. As the situation remains volatile, further details will be shared later," he added.

Fighting has intensified in recent days despite calls from the international community for the M23 to halt its advance on Goma, the key city in the east and home to over a million people.

Three South African peacekeepers were killed and 18 others wounded Thursday, while on the same regional peacekeeping  mission, South Africa's Democratic Alliance political party said Saturday, citing a confidential SAMIDRC report. It's unclear if the South African and Malawian soldiers were killed in the same incident.

SADC officials have declined to comment on the deaths.