Officials say at least 28 civilians have been killed amid fighting in a town in Central African Republic, according to Reuters.
The fighting started on Thursday after anti-Balaka fighters looted Seleka food reserves, residents told Reuters.
The fighting in Mala, which is about 190 miles north of the capital Bangui, between former Seleka rebels and the Christian militia known as the "anti-Balaka" is the latest in months of inter-communal violence which has killed thousands and displaced over 1 million people, Reuters reported.
"During the four days of combat, at least 28 people have been killed including 22 civilians and six Seleka rebels," said Augustin Ndoukoulouba, a former a former member of parliament of the region, in Bangui, according to Reuters.
Ndoukoulouba said residents told him bodies littered the streets because there was no one to bury them, while the wounded could not get help, Reuters reported.
Mala is now so volatile that people have been unable to bury the dead and the wounded have been left to fend for themselves, according to Reuters. Most of the town's residents have fled into the surrounding countryside and the Muslim rebels appeared to be in control of the community Monday.
Central African Republic exploded into sectarian violence in December. Since then, thousands of French and African peacekeepers have been trying to help stabilize the country, Reuters reported. Inter-communal violence has gripped the former French colony since late 2012 when a struggle power degenerated into fighting between Muslims and Christian militias.
An interim government was placed in power in January, assisted by thousands of French, European and African peacekeepers, but they have failed to end the violence, according to Reuters.
Everaldo de Souza, a priest in the neighboring town of Dékoa, told Reuters by telephone that seven people were killed in three nearby villages by ex-Seleka rebels, adding that the final death toll could be higher.
