Children targeted in Central African Republic as violence continues

One 13-year-old boy had his fingers removed by rebels. Credit: ITV News

ITV News has found evidence that children are being targeted in one of Africa's bloodiest civil wars.

Many have suffered horrific injuries, as violence in the Central African Republic sinks to what the United Nations calls a "vicious new low".

ITV News Africa Correspondent Rohit Kachroo's reports from Bangui contains pictures of injured children which some viewers may find upsetting:

The country's descent into lawlessness began in March last year, when President Francois Bozizi was overthrown by Muslim rebel leader Michel Djotodia.

The fighting between Muslim rebels and Christian militias has led to looting, rapes and massacres - and left a million people homeless.

One boy has a bullet lodged in his brain. Credit: ITV News

At the children's hospital in Bangui were many children injured in the conflict, including an 11-year-old boy with a bullet lodged in his brain who was struck as he played with friends.

A 13-year-old boy who had his fingers deliberately cut off. Credit: ITV News

ITV News also met a 13-year-old boy who had his fingers deliberately cut off with a machete. He said he does not know where his parents are now, or whether they are alive.

3-year-old boy shot in the arm. Credit: ITV News

Nurse Attilia Serpelloni finds it difficult to speak of the horrors she has seen.

She said she has never seen anything like the violence towards children she has witnessed in the Central African Republic.

At the airport militias claim that they are keeping the peace, despite the presence of the French military.

Militia men claim there are keeping the peace at the airport. Credit: ITV News

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