Residents say the rebels have occupied the town of Kitshanga in North Kivu province since Saturday.

Several people have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, a local radio station reported.

"The rebels are in Kitshanga and we are trying to find a way to retake the town," a security source told AFP news agency.

The area has changed hands several times since the beginning of the year.

Fighting resumed three weeks ago after a six-month truce. The area was previously patrolled by an international force provided by Congo's neighbours.