Goma's streets saw bodies recovered as M23 rebels urged normalcy. President Tshisekedi promised a strong response. M23 forces advanced toward South Kivu.

At least 111 bodies were collected in the streets of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, between Wednesday and Thursday after clashes between the army and the armed group March 23 Movement (M23), which took over the city on Monday,

The United Nations says Rwanda-backed rebels captured large parts of eastern Congo’s largest city of Goma including its airport

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo said on Thursday that his troopers are fighting an insurgence by the Rwandan-backed militant group M23 which recently captured swaths of land in the east.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday, Netanyahu said in a statement, amid the Gaza ceasefire and a regional diplomatic push.

Goma residents and UN sources said dozens of troops had surrendered, but some soldiers and pro-government militiamen were holding out

M23 rebels have attacked Goma with heavy firing, killing and injuring many while forcing countless others to flee

M23 vows to defend Tutsi interests, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias such as the FDLR, which was founded by Hutus who fled Rwanda after participating in the 1994 genocide of more than 800 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo were reported to have taken the key eastern city of Goma in fierce fighting with government forces that sent streams of refugees fleeing area communities.

Residents of eastern Congo's largest city of Goma greeted the arrival of Rwanda-backed rebels with trepidation on Monday, some staying indoors and others coming out to cheer in what one called a "show" of happiness.

There are growing international calls for peace talks to end the escalation of violence in the east of the democratic republic of congo. The fate of the economic and trading hub Goma is still unclear.