In Pictures

In Pictures: Witnessing M23 withdrawal

Rebels pulled out of Karuba in eastern DR Congo on Wednesday.
Azad Essa Last Modified: 29 Nov 2012 10:07

Karuba, Democratic Republic of Congo - Scores of M23 rebels assembled in the hillside town of Kubaro on Wednesday, in what was  described as the first phase of a major withdrawal from territory seized over the past two months in the eastern DR Congo.

Fighters, strapped with semi-automatics, RPGs and the occasional anti-aircraft machine gun, congregated at the centre of the town, as they awaited further instructions from M23’s military command.

Addressing curious townsfolk who had gathered, General Vianey Kazarama, M23 military spokesperson, said the withdrawal came about after President Kabila agreed to engage directly with the group.

“From tonight, our soldiers will not be controlling this area. "The soldiers who are in Karuba must go to Sake, and those in Ngungi, Humule, Muremure and Mushake must also go Sake," he said.

According to the M23, its fighters would also be out of Goma by Friday. But questions remain over the details of the Goma withdrawal, and there is still doubt over the willingness of the rebels to relinquish its hold over the important provincial capital.

Al Jazeera's Azad Essa was in Karuba to witness the first phase of M23's withdrawal.
Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Rebels in and around the surrounding hills were instructed to travel to Karuba as the pullout began.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Residents gathered at vantage points to catch a glimpse of the rebels.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
The fighters descended with a range of weaponry slung across their back.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Rebels waited mostly in silence for their comrades to arrive.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Like many rebel groups in the region, youthful fighters are part of M23 ranks


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
M23 rebels walked with unmistakable bravado through the town.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Children scampered around, enjoying the attention showered the remote town.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Some 500 rebel fighters assembled prior to the withdrawal from the town.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Residents said they were used to the cycle of violence in the area.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Though willing to pose, the rebel fighters were under strict instructions not to talk to journalists.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Eastern DRC remains as insecure as it has been for the best part two decades.


Azad Essa/Al Jazeera
Curiously looking on, some residents were unsure if the withdrawal.
images:
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captions:
Rebels in and around the surrounding hills were instructed to travel to Karuba as the pullout began.;*;Residents gathered at vantage points to catch a glimpse of the rebels.;*;The fighters descended with a range of weaponry slung across their back.;*;Rebels waited mostly in silence for their comrades to arrive.;*;Like many rebel groups in the region, youthful fighters are part of M23 ranks;*;M23 rebels walked with unmistakable bravado through the town.;*;Children scampered around, enjoying the attention showered the remote town.;*;Some 500 rebel fighters assembled prior to the withdrawal from the town.;*;Residents said they were used to the cycle of violence in the area.;*;Though willing to pose, the rebel fighters were under strict instructions not to talk to journalists.;*;Eastern DRC remains as insecure as it has been for the best part two decades.;*;Curiously looking on, some residents were unsure if the withdrawal. Daylife ID:
1354176870100
Photographer:
Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa;*;Azad Essa
Image Source:
Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
M23 in Congohttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100en-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:14:30 GMTThu, 29 Nov 2012 08:59:28 GMT1.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07l61Ig1GdeyqTroops in and around the surrounding hills were instructed to travel to Kubaro as the pullout began.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07l61Ig1GdeyqAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesTroops in and around the surrounding hills were instructed to travel to Kubaro as the pullout began.1.jpg2.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=06ZvaAs0R20RjResidents gathered on vantage points to catch a glimpse of the soldiers.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=06ZvaAs0R20RjAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesResidents gathered on vantage points to catch a glimpse of the soldiers.2.jpg3.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=073yaeA3837W5Soldiers descended with a range of weaponry slung across their back.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=073yaeA3837W5Azad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesSoldiers descended with a range of weaponry slung across their back.3.jpg4.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07OhaID0RKcoMSoldiers waited mostly in silence for the comrades to arrive.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07OhaID0RKcoMAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesSoldiers waited mostly in silence for the comrades to arrive.4.jpg5.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=08fr91g9hNatULike many rebel groups in the region, youthful fighters are par for the course.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=08fr91g9hNatUAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesLike many rebel groups in the region, youthful fighters are par for the course.5.jpg6.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0bEDeby2h53JLM23 walked with unmistakable bravado through the town.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0bEDeby2h53JLAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesM23 walked with unmistakable bravado through the town.6.jpg7.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=09taa9g2fjb8TChildren scampered around, enjoying the attention on the remote town.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=09taa9g2fjb8TAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesChildren scampered around, enjoying the attention on the remote town.7.jpg8.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0fqU50b8mj190Around 500 soldiers are said to have descended on Kubaro.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0fqU50b8mj190Azad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesAround 500 soldiers are said to have descended on Kubaro.8.jpg9.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07IMbiX7pN8u0Residents said they were used to the cycle of violence in the area.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=07IMbiX7pN8u0Azad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesResidents said they were used to the cycle of violence in the area.9.jpg10.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=00q92Zfe9f95K Though willing to pose, soldiers were under strict instructions not to talk to journalists.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=00q92Zfe9f95KAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images Though willing to pose, soldiers were under strict instructions not to talk to journalists.10.jpg11.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=09rP5UG93Jc8BEastern DRC remains as insecure as it has been for the best part two decades.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=09rP5UG93Jc8BAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesEastern DRC remains as insecure as it has been for the best part two decades.11.jpg12.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0dNj3gEayVdkqCuriously looking on, some residents were unsure if the withdrawal.Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:16:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1354176870100?image_id=0dNj3gEayVdkqAzad EssaAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload ImagesCuriously looking on, some residents were unsure if the withdrawal.12.jpg

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