(Reuters) -Chaotic scenes unfolded in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu on Saturday after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reached its outskirts, while a threat by Uganda's army chief to attack a Congolese town raised fears of the conflict flaring into a wider regional war.

The rebels have been trying to push south towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, since they seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at the end of last month.

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Reports have emerged of the Congolese military (FARDC) shooting at civilians attempting to flee the violence. Eyewitnesses claim that government forces are forcing local residents to take up arms and join the fight against the advancing M23 rebels.