BUNIA: A recent militia attack has resulted in the deaths of at least 69 individuals in Ituri province, located in the volatile northeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This information was provided by local and security sources to AFP on Saturday.

The assault, which took place towards the end of April, involved armed men believed to be affiliated with the Codeco militia.

Due to the security challenges in the area, the recovery of bodies was delayed for several days.

Security sources have confirmed a toll of 69 fatalities; however, a local civil protection official, Dieudonne Losa, reported that over 70 individuals may have been killed.

Earlier on Saturday, the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo issued a warning about a 'deadly' wave of attacks targeting civilians in the country's restive eastern regions.

MONUSCO stated that 'dozens of civilians have been killed in recent days' in areas within the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, without providing further details.

The mineral-rich eastern DRC has struggled with conflict involving various armed groups, militias, and army troops for approximately three decades.