The M23 rebel group has intensified its offensive in eastern DR Congo, encircling Goma, a city of approximately two million, leading to significant casualties and displacement.

Over the past few days, hundreds of civilians, including men, women, and children, have been injured in the clashes between M23 and government forces, overwhelming local hospitals.

The fighting has also claimed the lives of three United Nations peacekeepers, with six others injured, according to a U.N. statement issued on Friday. The skirmishes were particularly fierce in the town of Sake, just 27 kilometers west of Goma, which fell under M23 control on Thursday. This capture signifies one of the last major routes into Goma still held by the government, leaving the city increasingly isolated.

The conflict has taken a personal toll as well, with Maj. Gen Peter Cirimwami, the North Kivu governor, succumbing to injuries sustained during a frontline visit in Kasengezi, near Goma. His death underscores the dire security situation in the region.

M23, one of approximately 100 armed groups operating in this mineral-rich area, has not only made territorial gains but also inflicted significant losses on both military and civilian fronts. The group's history includes a brief seizure of Goma in 2012, an event that highlighted its military capabilities.

The ongoing conflict has deep roots in regional tensions, particularly with Rwanda, which DR Congo, the United States, and U.N. experts accuse of supporting M23. Although Rwanda denies direct involvement, it admitted last year to having forces and missile systems in eastern Congo, ostensibly for security reasons due to Congolese military buildup near the border. U.N. estimates suggest up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently active in Congo.

The humanitarian impact of this advance is catastrophic. Over 400,000 individuals have been displaced since the year began, exacerbating already dire conditions in Goma's overcrowded displacement centers. The crisis is further compounded by a rise in cholera cases, signaling a public health emergency in addition to the security one.

Since 2021, efforts by the DR Congo government, alongside Burundian and U.N. forces, have been aimed at preventing M23 from taking Goma again. However, the current escalation indicates a critical juncture in this ongoing struggle, with significant implications for regional stability and the welfare of millions living in the shadow of conflict. (ILKHA)