Sporadic gunfire and explosions have been reported as M23 rebels advance towards a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in an offensive that has forced thousands to flee across the border into Burundi.
Residents and military sources reported that soldiers were retreating from Uvira, the last government-held city in the mineral-rich region.
US President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal last week between DR Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame to end the long-running conflict.
Shops and schools have closed, with terrified residents staying indoors amid fears that rebels had taken control of some government buildings.
However, South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi dismissed reports that the rebels were in the city as completely unfounded rumors.
Residents told local media that the rebels were patrolling central Uvira under the cover of darkness on Tuesday night, while the city remained deserted early on Wednesday.
A local rights official warned of a risk of a massacre if the remaining soldiers mounted strong resistance.
Military and security sources indicated that the rebel fighters advanced from the north, near the Burundian border, despite official denials. Reports estimate that 200,000 people have fled their homes, with harsh consequences for civilians caught in the conflict.
In a national address, Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of deliberate violations of the peace accord, asserting that the situation in Uvira exemplifies the chaos and instability threatening the region's peace.
The US, European Union, and other nations have called for an immediate halt to the fighting, expressing profound concern about the potential for escalation and destabilization in the region.
