Central African Republic's militiamen

An anti-balaka militiaman poses for a photograph in the capital of the Central African Republic Bangui, Jan. 14, 2014.

The group say they are protecting their village from Seleka fighters. With the country slipping deeper into chaos, former colonial power France plans to boost its force there to around 1,000 troops to restore law and order until a much bigger African Union force fully deploys.

The land-locked country has been gripped by violence since the mainly Muslim rebels, many of them fighters from neighboring Sudan and Chad, seized power in the majority Christian country in March.

Mbakate village

A fighter from a militia known as anti-balaka wears charms for protection in Mbakate village, Central African Republic, Nov. 25, 2013.

Bangui

Anti-balaka militiamen pose for a photograph on the outskirts of Bangui, Jan. 15, 2014.

Mbakate village

Militia fighters known as anti-balaka pose for a photograph as they stand guard in Mbakate village, Central African Republic, Nov. 25, 2013.

Mbakate village

A fighter from a self-defense militia known as "anti-balaka" wears charms for protection in Mbakate village, Central African Republic, Nov. 25, 2013.

Mbakate village

A fighter from a self-defense militia known as "anti-balaka" wears charms for protection in Mbakate village, Central African Republic, Nov. 25, 2013.

Bangui

A member of a Christian self-defense militia poses for a picture in the capital Bangui, Dec. 25, 2013.

Bangui

A member of a Christian self-defense militia poses for a picture in the capital Bangui, Dec. 25, 2013.

Bangui

An anti-balaka soldier wears lucky charms around his neck in Ouengo district, Bangui, Jan. 12, 2014.

Bangui

An anti-balaka child soldier wears lucky charms around his neck while he poses for a picture in Ouengo district, Bangui, Jan. 12, 2014.

Bangui

An Anti-balaka soldier reacts in Ouengo district, Bangui, Jan. 12, 2014.

Bangui

Anti-balaka soldiers rest in Ouengo district, Bangui, Jan. 12, 2014.

Bangui

Anti-balaka militiamen are seen on the outskirts of the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, Jan. 15, 2014.

Bangui

A group of anti-balaka sentinels stand outside the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) health center in Bangui, Jan. 8, 2014.

Bangui

An anti-balaka militiaman poses for a photograph on the outskirts of the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, Jan. 15, 2014.