M23 Rebels Assert Control Over Goma, Key City in Eastern DRC

M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have captured Goma, eastern DRC’s regional capital, seizing control of the airport and the border. This takeover followed intense fighting with Congolese forces, leaving many civilians vulnerable. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured as residents face a dire humanitarian crisis under the insurgents’ rule.

Rwandan-supported M23 rebels have successfully taken control of Goma, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s regional capital, concluding a three-day offensive amid intense conflict with Congolese military forces. Their victory has granted them command of the city’s airport and the border adjacent to Rwanda, leading to a cessation of firefighting that has marked the area up until now.

The recent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo centers around various armed rebel groups, notably the M23, which resumed hostilities after previous peace agreements failed to address underlying tensions. Goma serves as a strategic and humanitarian hub for those displaced by violence in eastern DRC, which is rich in minerals but marred by continuous strife due to power struggles and military interventions.

The fall of Goma to the M23 rebels signals a critical shift in power dynamics within the region. As civilians adjust to life under the new regime, the humanitarian crisis escalates, compounded by overwhelmed medical facilities and disrupted essential services. The situation remains precarious, with broader implications for the stability of the DRC and its neighboring regions.

Original Source: news.sky.com