Extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 9 people, including an 8-month-old baby and a 14-year-old girl in eastern Congo and kidnapped several others, authorities said on Wednesday.

Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group has resumed in eastern Congo ahead of potential mediation talks.

The army said it inflicted heavy losses on the rebels in the Lubero territory of North Kivu province Monday, including several dead and wounded.

Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group resumed in eastern Congo in yet another ceasefire violation ahead of potential mediation talks, both groups said. M23 is one of a 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda,

Congolese army commander Jerome Chico Tshitambwe leads members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), as they assess the positions against the M23 rebel group in Lubero,