Rebel group frees 232 child soldiers

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have released 232 child soldiers, a UNICEF official said Saturday.

The teenagers were recruited by the Mayi Mayi group, which is fighting in areas near the border with Uganda and Rwanda, CNN reported. Some were as young as 13 when they became soldiers.

The United Nations children's agency said the freed soldiers will rejoin their families.

The handover is the first this year of child soldiers by a rebel group. Mayi Mayi also agreed not to use children to do its fighting in the future.