Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes as the M23 rebels make significant strides toward Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern region.
This advance, marking a new phase in the insurgency, has displaced countless families, who now seek refuge on the city’s outskirts.
Since March 2022, the M23 has launched a relentless campaign, steadily gaining more territory.
Their recent territorial gains have exceeded any previous efforts, surpassing even their 2012 and 2013 offensives.
Analysts note that controlling more areas will allow the rebels to increase mining revenues, vital to sustaining their operations.
The M23, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsi fighters, has long accused the Congolese government of failing to honor peace agreements from a 2009 accord.
The insurgency claims that the government has not fully integrated Tutsis into the military and administration, fueling the conflict.
On Tuesday, the rebels captured the strategic town of Minova, isolating Goma further and opening paths to other key regions.
Fighting has since spread to nearby Sake, where clashes between M23 fighters and Congolese forces continued into Thursday.
Alice Maombi Tulinado, a mother of four who fled the violence, described the shock of the conflict’s proximity.
“We never saw the war coming. Now it is in our homes,” she said as she arrived in Nzulo, a makeshift camp.
With the region’s rich mineral deposits under threat, the M23 has taken control of valuable mining areas.
These include Rubaya, known for coltan, a mineral crucial for electronics manufacturing, and the gold-rich Numbi region.
Analysts suggest that these areas could generate significant revenue for the rebels.