Among those displaced recently, about 2,500 people have fled to neighbouring Uganda, the UN’s humanitarian affairs agency said.

In total more than 390,000 have been displaced in Congo’s Rutshuru area since March.

The AFP news agency reports that the M23 rebels took Ntamugenga village, around 15km (nine miles) from Rutshuru town, during Sunday clashes.

A statement from the army said it “controls the situation on all the fronts”. It added that four civilians were killed and 40 others including children were injured in the clashes.

Each side accuses the other of starting the fighting on Thursday.

The army accused Rwandan forces of invading DR Congo “disguised as M23 rebels”. Rwanda has continuously denied supporting the rebels.