A number of other Mi-25s were claimed shot down by the rebels.

This is not the first attempt by the rebels and the government to come to an agreement.

More than 150,000 people died, killed by either Islamist rebels or government forces.

It also followed some recent military successes by the rebels.

That progression, too, seems to have been part of a plan by the rebels.

He said that the team needed to visit only land held by the rebels, which includes much of the Congo's north and east.

"That one is troubling, but it's hardly evidence of a major war effort by the rebels."

Unlike those who fled from Government troops, this group said they were forced to leave by rebels.

Hippos itself fell under attack by rebels at least once.

They are told to keep quiet by the rebels.