The civil war waged between armed militants and the Congolese security forces have claimed at least 3,383 lives in the Kasai region since last October, the country's Catholic church said on Tuesday in a report based on local church sources.

The United Nations had previously said hundreds died in the violence. The church report also said that the Democratic Republic of Congo's national army was responsible for destroying 10 villages.

The army's spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.