Democratic Republic of Congo's troops launched a fresh assault on M23 rebel positions in the east on Monday, despite a ceasefire call by the insurgents, the fighters said. In a statement, the rebels said the army was pounding their positions in the hills, where some 200 diehard fighters have holed up after being driven from their last stronghold last week. On Sunday, the leader of the beleaguered rebels Bertrand Bisimwa called for a truce.