Intensifying Battles in DR Congo Prompt Evacuation Advisories for Goma Residents
Clashes between the DRC army and M23 rebels near Goma prompted Western nations to advise citizens to evacuate, warning of worsening conditions. UN reports indicate over 400,000 people displaced in North Kivu this year, escalating a humanitarian crisis. International concern grows over potential regional conflict as fighting intensifies.
On Friday, clashes erupted between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army and M23 rebels near Goma, prompting Western nations such as the United Kingdom, United States, and France to advise their citizens to evacuate the city. They noted the potential for the situation to deteriorate rapidly as M23 forces, allegedly supported by Rwandan troops, have recently expanded their control in the eastern DRC, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting approximately one million residents.
The United Nations reported over 400,000 people displaced in North Kivu province this year alone, nearly double the figure from the previous week. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) expressed grave concern regarding the safety of civilians, highlighting that heavy bombardments have caused families from multiple displacement sites to seek refuge within Goma itself, often forcing them to live in dire conditions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced alarm over the resurgence of hostilities, emphasizing the humanitarian toll and the risk of escalating the conflict into a regional war. Fighting intensified just 20 kilometers from Goma, with the Congolese army’s helicopter gunships engaging M23 fighters along the Kanyamahoro-Kibumba route, while explosions were reported in the surrounding districts.
Military operations included a deployment of UN peacekeeping armored personnel carriers and support from the Southern African Development Community mission. Medical personnel from the International Committee of the Red Cross treated over 70 injured individuals in Goma, as civilians fled towards the city center to escape the violence.
Goma has been a focal point of conflict in eastern DRC for three decades and has experienced control shifts, notably when M23 briefly seized it in late 2012 before being ousted by the Congolese army. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a recent failed peace process with Rwanda, proposed mediation initiatives continue with Türkiye stepping forward.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced prolonged military conflicts, primarily fueled by political instability and the resurgence of armed groups like M23, which has historically posed a significant threat to government control. The involvement of regional actors and failed peace negotiations exacerbate the situation, triggering massive displacement and humanitarian crises that impact civilians severely. The urgency of international evacuation recommendations reflects the volatile dynamics on the ground as fighting intensifies.
The escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marked by renewed hostilities between government forces and the M23 militia, poses severe humanitarian risks. With over 400,000 people displaced and growing international concern, efforts to mediate the crisis continue to face significant challenges. As tens of thousands flee towards Goma, the potential for further violence and instability in the region remains high.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
