Rape and other violence against children in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has soared to unprecedented levels, the head of the United Nations children's agency warned Thursday.

Unprecedented sexual violence against children has been reported in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as the Rwanda-backed M23 ramps up its offensive. View on euronews

The European Parliament urged the European Union on Thursday to freeze direct budget support for Rwanda until it breaks links with Tutsi-led M23 rebels and allows humanitarian access to areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo where they advanced.

European Union lawmakers called for a halt to financial assistance for Rwanda because of its support for the M23 rebel insurgency in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Analysts say the deadly march by Rwanda-backed rebels across eastern Congo could widen into a regional conflict drawing in even more countries, and two neighboring nations with the most involvement in the mineral-rich area might be the key to stopping the violence.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured a strategic airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expanding their stranglehold over the country’s mineral-rich eastern region.