M23 rebels appear to have launched an offensive in North Kivu province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They’re attacking five villages outside the town of Mweso, which lies on the province’s main highway.
Local media say the offensive followed the arrival of Rwandan reinforcements.
Kigali, however, denies that it’s supporting the rebels. M23 controls territory inside Congo, but its advance towards Goma, the provincial capital, has slowed in recent days.
Recent attempts to enforce a ceasefire have all but failed.