M23 rebels claim they now control the Congolese city of Goma—an act Congo's government described as a 'declaration of war.'

The M23 rebels have captured Goma in the Congo, triggering gunfire between Rwandan and Congolese forces. Rooted in historical tensions from the Rwandan genocide, the conflict threatens broader regional instability.

Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described a mass panic among its 2 million people and Congo’s government said the rebel advance was a “declaration of war.

Rwanda-backed rebels on Monday claimed they captured Goma, the largest city in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the United Nations reported "mass panic" among its 2 million residents.

The M23 advance on North Kivu capital Goma, first reported last week, saw the United Nations (UN) mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) activate a quick reaction force (QRF), two battalions, a Special Forces platoon and an artillery battery to counter the offensive.

M23 militia fighters, alongside Rwandan troops, are pushing into the eastern DR Congo city of Goma, capital of the mineral-rich North Kivu province.

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, accompanied by Rwandan forces, advanced on Goma, a regional hub for security and humanitarian operations, this week

They said they were protecting the rights of Tutsi minority communities in DR Congo. Shortly after its creation, M23 rapidly gained territory and seized Goma resulting in international criticism and accusations of war crimes and human rights violations,

Congo’s M23 rebels say they have taken control of the key eastern city of Goma.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Rwandan-backed M23 rebels laying siege to eastern Congo's largest city Goma ordered defending government forces late on Sunday to disarm and surrender, saying they were preparing to enter and take control.