Fighting in Central African Republic kills at least 20: UN

In this photo provided by International Rescue Committee, hundreds of refugees seek shelter in a hangar at the United Nations peacekeeping base in Kaga Bandoro refugee camp in Central African Republic, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Fighters with the former Seleka rebel group attacked a northern town in Central African Republic overnight Wednesday, and clashes left at least 30 dead and 57 wounded as United Nations peacekeepers confronted them, the U.N. said. The attack in Kaga-Bandoro was likely retaliation for the death on Tuesday of a suspected former Seleka member, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. Peacekeepers repelled the attackers, killing at least 12 of them, the U.N. mission said. (David Belluz/International Rescue Committee via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo provided by International Rescue Committee, a mother and her son stand amid the ashes of their hut and personal possessions in the Kaga Bandoro refugee camp in Central African Republic, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Fighters with the former Seleka rebel group attacked a northern town in Central African Republic overnight Wednesday, and clashes left at least 30 dead and 57 wounded as United Nations peacekeepers confronted them, the U.N. said. The attack in Kaga-Bandoro was likely retaliation for the death on Tuesday of a suspected former Seleka member, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. Peacekeepers repelled the attackers, killing at least 12 of them, the U.N. mission said. (David Belluz/International Rescue Committee via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo provided by International Rescue Committee, burnt huts are seen in the Kaga Bandoro refugee camp in Central African Republic, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Fighters with the former Seleka rebel group attacked a northern town in Central African Republic overnight Wednesday, and clashes left at least 30 dead and 57 wounded as United Nations peacekeepers confronted them, the U.N. said. The attack in Kaga-Bandoro was likely retaliation for the death on Tuesday of a suspected former Seleka member, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. Peacekeepers repelled the attackers, killing at least 12 of them, the U.N. mission said. (David Belluz/International Rescue Committee via AP) (The Associated Press)

The United Nations peacekeeping mission head in Central African Republic says at least 20 people have died after attacks in the country's north.

Renner Onana said Thursday that attacks in Kaga-Bandoro overnight Wednesday killed at least 13 civilians and wounded 41 others. He says international forces repelled the attacks by Muslim rebels, killing between 10 and 15 fighters.

Thousands displaced from violence have gathered near the U.N. base there.

Central African Republic descended into conflict in 2013 when Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the Christian president. That ushered in a brutal reign in which the Muslims committed atrocities. When the rebel leader left power, a backlash by the Christian anti-Balaka militia against Muslim civilians followed, and sectarian violence has continued.

Hundreds of the former Seleka rebels have regrouped in Kaga-Bandoro.