Election-related violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 18 civilians between November 26 and 28, Human Rights Watch said Friday, urging an end to killings by security forces.

"The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately rein in its security forces, especially the Republican Guard, and prevent the targeting of political opponents and their supporters in the aftermath of the November 28, 2011 presidential and legislative elections," the group said in a statement.

DR Congo's army repulsed an assault by gunmen on Lubumbashi airport in the south of the country Friday in which one member of the security services was killed, witnesses said.

The security agent died after gunfire erupted between the army and the unidentified attackers who launched their assault on the airport around 4:00 am (0200 GMT), said an Agence France Presse journalist at the scene.