A/HRC/27/42 perceived collaboration with one of the parties. Ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are further complicated by the relationship between some FARDC units and certain armed groups. Indeed, in some cases, FARDC has used certain armed groups as proxy forces against other groups, a tactic that has generated further human rights violations. As an illustration, on 15 February 2014, a patrol of soldiers from the 813th FARDC regiment was reportedly attacked by Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) combatants in Loashi, Masisi territory. In reprisal, nearly 60 households were burned down in Kasho, almost 90 others in Bonde, and 100 in Bukombo, Masisi territory, by soldiers of the regiment in coalition with Nyatura combatants. Some destruction of property and looting were reportedly committed in those villages during the attacks. 18. Of particular concern is the pattern of attacks and reprisals whereby parties to the conflict target civilians on the basis of their ethnicity. The lack of State authority in conflict areas has pushed some local civilians to create alliances with armed groups, often on ethnic lines, in order to receive protection. Such alliances often trigger attacks by the opposing group. For instance, in February 2014, gross human rights violations were registered in the context of ethnic tension and armed clashes between combatants of the Congolese defence forces (Hunde ethnicity) and Nyatura combatants (Hutu ethnicity) in Masisi territory, North Kivu province. At least 40 civilians perceived to be collaborating with Nyatura combatants were killed in that context, some with firearms and others with machetes. Several villages in the area were reportedly burned down by Nyatura elements in reprisal. Some FARDC elements have also been responsible for attacks against civilians seemingly along ethnic lines. For example, during the reporting period, FARDC elements reportedly committed serious human rights violations against civilians believed to be collaborating with Mai Mai groups in northern Katanga, against civilians of the Ngiti ethnic group, whom they perceived to be affiliated with FRPI combatants in Orientale province, as well as against Hunde civilians in Masisi territory, who are associated with APCLS combatants owing to their ethnicity. 19. The instability linked to armed group activities and FARDC operations against armed groups in the east has continued to trigger mass displacement of civilians. Thus, in January 2014, when FARDC and MONUSCO began launching military operations against ADF in Beni territory, North Kivu province, more than 65,000 people sought refuge around the town of Nobili, with the total number of internally displaced persons in the district reaching 178,000 at the end of March 2014. The humanitarian situation of those persons was further aggravated by the fact that they could not access their fields, their source of livelihood and food, due to military operations and the prevailing insecurity. Humanitarian personnel have also been experiencing difficulties delivering life-saving aid to those areas due to security issues. 20. At the same time the improved security situation in certain territories, such as Rutshuru in North Kivu province, has facilitated the return of some internally displaced persons. Their number thus decreased in all the eastern provinces from 2,964,000 in December 2013 to 2,635,000 in March 2014.5 B. Actions taken by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office 21. UNJHRO has been assigned as the lead component within MONUSCO on protection of civilians, particularly in areas affected by conflict. As such, it contributes, 5 8 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs monthly figures, “Democratic Republic of the Congo: internally displaced persons and returnees” (March 2014).