Congo rebels enter Goma as clashes resume

YoopyaNov 20, 20120

Displaced people cross the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Rwanda, November 20, 2012, as the Congolese Revolutionary Army fights with the DRC government army on the periphery of Goma, the capital of Congo's North Kivu province. Rwanda accused U.N.-backed Congolese forces of shelling its territory during a battle with rebels near the border on Monday but said it had no plans to respond militarily to what it called Kinshasa's "provocation". REUTERS/James Akena

(Reuters) – Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo entered parts of the eastern city of Goma on Tuesday, escalating clashes between the insurgents and U.N.-backed Congolese troops defending the provincial capital of North Kivu.

Displaced people cross the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Rwanda, November 20, 2012, as the Congolese Revolutionary Army fights with the DRC government army on the periphery of Goma, the capital of Congo’s North Kivu province. Rwanda accused U.N.-backed Congolese forces of shelling its territory during a battle with rebels near the border on Monday but said it had no plans to respond militarily to what it called Kinshasa’s “provocation”. REUTERS/James Akena

A Reuters witness said fighters from the M23 rebel group were advancing by foot along the road to the city centre, the first clear evidence they had entered Goma after days of fighting along the outskirts.

Sustained light-arms fire could be heard from within the city and from its airport. Streams of residents headed for the nearby border with Rwanda saying they had been ordered to evacuate by the army.

(Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Jon Boyle)

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