At a critical juncture in DR Congo, fighting intensifies as M23 rebels push toward the strategic city of Goma, leading to casualties among UN peacekeeping forces and growing calls for intervention.
Escalating Violence in DR Congo: M23 Rebels Target Goma, UN Peacekeepers Killed
Escalating Violence in DR Congo: M23 Rebels Target Goma, UN Peacekeepers Killed
Tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo rise as M23 rebels approach Goma, claiming lives of peacekeepers amid regional conflict.
In a tense situation unfolding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Rwanda to withdraw its military presence from Congolese territory while pressing the M23 rebel group to cease its aggressive advance on Goma. This plea comes on the heels of an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York, where the Congolese foreign minister accused Rwanda of waging war by assisting M23.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by reports confirming the deaths of 13 peacekeepers, including nine South African and three Malawian soldiers, during intense confrontations with M23. This escalation follows the rebels' sustained capture of areas in the mineral-rich eastern DRC since 2021, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, according to UN estimations.
During the Security Council session, Guterres condemned the violence and called for Rwanda to withdraw its troops and halt support for M23, while also demanding the rebel group to cease hostilities and vacate occupied territories. Reports emerged indicating Rwandan drone strikes targeting sites near Goma amidst rising fears and chaos within the population. Bintou Keita, from the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, informed the council that the situation had deteriorated to the point where M23 forces have effectively surrounded Goma.
Goma, home to over a million people, has become a focal point due to its strategic significance and wealth of minerals like gold and cobalt, drawing international attention and resources. As hostilities escalate, hospitals are overwhelmed, with hundreds of residents in dire need of medical assistance.
The conflict has exacerbated humanitarian crises, with reports indicating that over 400,000 people have fled their homes in North and South Kivu provinces in 2025 alone. The international community's response has called for a halt to violence against peacekeepers, while the security risks escalate for civilians caught in the crossfire.
As fears mount and evacuation efforts thwarted, nations have begun advising their citizens to leave Goma following the alarming rise in deadly confrontations between M23 and Congolese forces. The M23, originally formed in 2012 to protect the Tutsi population, has faced criticism for exacerbating the plight of civilians, with accusations of grave human rights abuses on both sides. Meanwhile, DR Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, further inflaming tensions in the region.
The deteriorating situation in Goma serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and historical grievances at play, as local leaders and humanitarian groups continue to emphasize the need for peace and resolution to the long-standing conflict.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by reports confirming the deaths of 13 peacekeepers, including nine South African and three Malawian soldiers, during intense confrontations with M23. This escalation follows the rebels' sustained capture of areas in the mineral-rich eastern DRC since 2021, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, according to UN estimations.
During the Security Council session, Guterres condemned the violence and called for Rwanda to withdraw its troops and halt support for M23, while also demanding the rebel group to cease hostilities and vacate occupied territories. Reports emerged indicating Rwandan drone strikes targeting sites near Goma amidst rising fears and chaos within the population. Bintou Keita, from the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, informed the council that the situation had deteriorated to the point where M23 forces have effectively surrounded Goma.
Goma, home to over a million people, has become a focal point due to its strategic significance and wealth of minerals like gold and cobalt, drawing international attention and resources. As hostilities escalate, hospitals are overwhelmed, with hundreds of residents in dire need of medical assistance.
The conflict has exacerbated humanitarian crises, with reports indicating that over 400,000 people have fled their homes in North and South Kivu provinces in 2025 alone. The international community's response has called for a halt to violence against peacekeepers, while the security risks escalate for civilians caught in the crossfire.
As fears mount and evacuation efforts thwarted, nations have begun advising their citizens to leave Goma following the alarming rise in deadly confrontations between M23 and Congolese forces. The M23, originally formed in 2012 to protect the Tutsi population, has faced criticism for exacerbating the plight of civilians, with accusations of grave human rights abuses on both sides. Meanwhile, DR Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, further inflaming tensions in the region.
The deteriorating situation in Goma serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and historical grievances at play, as local leaders and humanitarian groups continue to emphasize the need for peace and resolution to the long-standing conflict.
