M23 insurgency in eastern Congo has intensified in January with the rebels seizing control of more territory than ever before, prompting the United Nations to warn of the risk of a broader regional war.

Laden with just the possessions they can carry, thousands of displaced people have reached the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing a rapid M23 rebel advance that has taken more territory than ever before.

The M23 armed group has seized further territory in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and on Thursday was continuing to tighten its grip on provincial capital Goma, which is almost surrounded by fighting.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has lost nine soldiers in combat against M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and dozens injured. The South African Department of Defence in a statement on Saturday said the casualties came from two days of fierce fighting amid an M23 push to take Goma.

Thousands of people have fled their homes in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensify. The Rwanda-backed armed group has captured a string of towns over the last few days,

M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling Goma, which has around two million people and is a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts. View on euronews