Residents scatter as they fear Congo rebel group will again seize key eastern city of Goma
Residents say one of eastern Congo’s most active rebel groups is attacking a community considered the last line of defense before the region’s largest city of Goma
GOMA, Congo (AP) — One of eastern Congo’s most active rebel groups is attacking a community considered the last line of defense before the region’s largest city of Goma, fleeing residents said Wednesday, even as the rebels claimed they had no intention to seize it again.
The M23 rebels in a statement, however, warned that “attacks targeting our forces and/or indiscriminate shelling of civilian population will be dealt with at their source.” The group rose to prominence a decade ago by seizing Goma, an important base for Congolese forces and for humanitarian workers.
The M23, with alleged ties to Rwanda, detonated explosives in North Kivu’s Sake city 27 kilometers (16 miles) from Goma, residents said as they hurried from fighting between the rebels and security forces.
“Bombs are being dropped in the city,” said a resident, Alain Bauma. “We are fleeing but we don’t know where we are going to live."
