Congolese troops successfully repelled an overnight assault by M23 rebels near the eastern city of Goma, army sources confirmed on Saturday, following hours of heavy bombardment that unsettled the provincial capital’s residents.
By morning, the city of over 1 million people saw cautious movement as residents resumed daily activities under a heightened police presence, according to Reuters reporters on the ground.
The M23 insurgency, now in its third year, has intensified since January, with the rebels seizing unprecedented territory and announcing their intention to capture Goma. The Congolese military managed to thwart the advance by maintaining a defensive perimeter, said a military source.
“We stopped their advance and are keeping them at a distance from Goma,” an army officer said, speaking anonymously.
The escalation has drawn international concern, with the United Nations warning of potential regional conflict. Congo and the U.N. accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons—allegations Rwanda denies.
The violence has also claimed the lives of three South African servicemen, with 14 others wounded in Thursday’s clashes, their military union confirmed. South African forces are part of an international effort assisting Congolese troops.
The ongoing conflict has worsened humanitarian conditions in eastern Congo, displacing an additional 400,000 people since the start of the year, the U.N. refugee agency reports. Human Rights Watch called the situation for Goma’s civilians “increasingly perilous.”
The European Union and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee have urged M23 to halt its offensive. In a Saturday statement, the EU demanded Rwanda cease its alleged support for the rebels and withdraw its involvement. Rwanda has yet to comment.
The M23 previously captured Goma during a 2012 rebellion, sparking international aid cuts to Rwanda. However, the current territorial gains by the rebels far exceed those of a decade ago, raising concerns of a larger crisis.