Central African Republic violence kills 45 over 3 months

FILE - In this Saturday May 24, 2014, file photo, former Seleka fighters return to base at the end of the day in Bambari, Central African Republic. According to a Human Rights Watch report released Tuesday, May 2, 2017, armed groups targeting civilians have killed at least 45 people and displaced 11,000 in the past three months. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 picture, a sign warns travelers of the dangers ahead on the road to Bambari, Central African Republic. According to a Human Rights Watch report released Tuesday, May 2, 2017, armed groups targeting civilians have killed at least 45 people and displaced 11,000 in the past three months. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) (The Associated Press)

DAKAR, Senegal – Human Rights Watch says armed groups targeting civilians in Central African Republic have killed at least 45 people and displaced 11,000 in the past three months.

The rights group said Tuesday that two factions are vying for control of the central part of the country. It says one predominantly Peul faction of the mostly Muslim Seleka group has been fighting since late 2016 with another faction that has aligned itself with the Christian anti-Balaka group.

The latest fighting began in February when anti-Balaka fighters killed a group of Peul civilians.

Central African Republic descended into sectarian conflict in 2013. Attacks in Ouaka province persist despite the deployment of 1,000 United Nations peacekeeping forces to the area.