Suspected Islamist militants killed around 20 people in attacks on two villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the weekend, the army and a local human rights group said on Sunday.

Fighters believed to be from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed residents and burned down houses in Kandoyi and Bandiboli villages in Ituri province late on Friday and early on Saturday, said Christophe Munyanderu, coordinator of the local group Convention for the Respect of Human Rights (CRDH).

The Congolese army spokesperson in Ituri, Jules Ngongo, confirmed about 20 deaths and said Congolese forces were in pursuit of the assailants.