Congolese rebels have re-taken a town in the lawless east captured only a month ago in a U.N.-backed offensive, handing the world body and government a major military setback just weeks before historic elections. The rebel stronghold of Tchei had been captured in late May after days of heavy fighting by a joint force of 3,000 Congolese army soldiers and 1,000 U.N. troops with attack helicopters and armoured trucks. The fighting displaced thousands of civilians in the eastern Ituri district. But after U.N. soldiers withdrew from Tchei on June 26, a rebel offensive launched four days later wrested control of the town from Congolese army forces, the United Nations and the army said."There was heavy fighting between the militia and the army, and in the end the militia took control of Tchei," Major Hans-Jakob Reichen, spokesman for the U.N. force in eastern Congo, said on Tuesday. "It is a setback for us and the Congolese army," Reichen said, adding that a number of Congolese army soldiers were killed in the offensive and at least 18 were injured. United Nations troops subsequently clashed with the militia south of Tchei and its forces in Ituri's regional capital, Bunia, have been placed on high alert. Congo's army confirmed the militia now controlled Tchei after heavy fighting that killed eight government soldiers and wounded many. "After three days of fighting, we pulled back to avoid a bloodbath," a spokesman said. "The militia have received reinforcements, that is clear."
Reichen added: "Given how heavy the fighting was, the militia casualties must be high but we have no confirmed figures as they take away their bodies." The army spokesman said government forces would reorganise and try to retake control of the town, which would be the fourth attempt to wrest control from militia.