There has been fighting around the town of Beni in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including heavy weapons fire.

Residents said an unknown group had launched an attack in the morning.

Some reports suggest a new rebel coalition has been created in the region.

A local army spokesman confirmed to the BBC that fighting had taken place, saying his forces had repelled the attack.

There are frequent outbursts of violence in Beni, and in the North Kivu region as a whole, with several militia groups operating in the area.

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