Panic spread in Goma on Thursday, with M23 rebels steadily inching closer to the city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as they battle the national army.

The United Nations chief voiced alarm Thursday over a new offensive launched by rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, who are threatening to take a key regional city.

The M23 armed group has seized further territory in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and on Thursday was continuing to tighten its grip on provincial capital Goma, which is almost surrounded by fighting.

Jan 22 (EFE/EPA) – The NGO Save the Children reported on Wednesday that nearly 120,000 children have been forced to flee their homes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the beginning of 2025 due to a surge in fighting between the army and rebel groups.

The M23 rebel group in Democratic Republic of Congo has seized the eastern town of Minova, a main supply route for the provincial capital Goma, a local governor and a rebel leader said on Tuesday as the army reported fighting on all fronts.

Laden with just the possessions they can carry, thousands of displaced people have reached the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing a rapid M23 rebel advance that has taken more territory than ever before.

Tutsi-led M23 rebel group claims to defend Tutsi interests against ethnic Hutu militias whose leaders are linked to genocide of Tutsi in Rwanda - Anadolu Ajansı

The M23 rebel group's aggressive advance into the mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced thousands, threatening areas like Goma. The rebel force has gained control of key mining territories,

Many Congolese see the rebel advance as an invasion of their country by a foreign power in an attempt to seize land and Congo’s valuable rare minerals.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

M23 rebels tightened their stranglehold over key trading routes to the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after taking more towns Monday and Tuesday, Congo’s army said.

Panic is spreading in Goma in eastern Congo as M23 rebels encircle the city, battling Congo’s army. Many civilians have been wounded in the crossfire, stretching the main hospital.