The Ituri conflict Hostile_encounter ( ) was a major conflict Hostile_encounter between the agriculturalist Lendu and pastoralist Hema ethnic groups in the Ituri region of the north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) .

The Lendu ethnicity was largely represented by the Nationalist and Integrationist Front ( FNI ) while the Union of Congolese Patriots ( UPC ) claimed Statement to be fighting for the Hema .

`` [ L ] ong-dormant '' land disputes between `` Hema herders and Lendu farmers '' were re-ignited in December 2017 resulting in a surge of massacres with entire Hema villages razed Destroying and over a hundred casualties Catastrophe .

While the massacres by Lendu militia ceased Process_end in mid-March 2018 , `` crop destruction , kidnappings , and killings '' continued .

The UN estimated that as many as 120 Hema villages were attacked Attack by Lendu militia from December 2017 through August 2018 .