M23 rebels seized the town of Minova in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a key supply route for the provincial capital, Goma, authorities said Tuesday. The move led to an exodus of people in the face of a new offensive by the rebel group, which has taken several strategic towns in recent weeks.

Authorities say M23 rebels have seized the town of Minova, a trade hub for the eastern provincial capital of Goma.

The army acknowledged Tuesday a "breakthrough" by the M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where the armed group fighting government forces has seized a trading hub that supplies the city of Goma.

The Congolese army says several towns that fell to armed groups in the eastern North Kivu and South Kivu provinces have been recaptured by government forces.

Government forces have been fighting against M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have taken over the key eastern trading town of Minova,