The army of the Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 98 rebels in its latest operation to restore peace in Ituri in the northeastern province of Orientale, the military announced on Sunday.

"We have swept all the bastions of the enemy with more than 98 militiamen killed," Col. Fall Sikabwe, commander of the military operation "Safisha", said in a statement.

Up to 109 rebels have surrendered to the army, locally known as FARDC. "We have recovered at least 95 arms," the military spokesman added.

He also admitted that two FARDC soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in the operation.

Declaring no more enemy bastions and no more combat zone, the commander said only pockets of rebels existed taking shelter in the bush.

FARDC launched the operation "Safisha" in May to track down the so-called FRJC rebels still active in the region.