GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Rwandan-backed rebels marched into east Congo's largest city Goma on Monday and troops from the east African neighbours exchanged fire over the border in the worst escalation of the long-running conflict for more than a decade.

M23 rebels said they have advanced into Goma, a large city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been displaced.

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo were reported to have taken the key eastern city of Goma in fierce fighting with government forces that sent streams of refugees fleeing area communities.

Heavy artillery fire rocked the eastern Congolese city of Goma on Monday as France warned the capital of the mineral-rich region was on the brink of falling to militia fighters and Rwandan troops. Repeated explosions from heavy artillery and intense bursts of gunfire echoed across central Goma on Monday,

After 3 UN peacekeepers were killed in eastern Congo, Guterres emphasised that attacks against UN staff may constitute a war crime United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called on Sunday on Rwandan forces to withdraw from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and halt support for fighters advancing on the key Congolese city of Goma.

M23 rebels claim they have taken control of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN has condemned 'flagrant disregard' for the DRC's sovereignty. DW has more.

M23 rebels and allied Rwandan forces entered the outskirts of Goma on Sunday and the airport in the key eastern city was no longer in use, the top U.N. official in Dr Congo said. View on euronews

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where fierce fighting raged as Kigali-backed fighters closed in on the major city of Goma.

Jambojet, Kenya's budget airline, has suspended flights between Nairobi and Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), due to escalating conflict and the closure of Goma's airspace.The airline announced that the temporary suspension takes effect immediately,

Jambojet has suspended Nairobi-Goma flights after M23 rebels announced the seizure of a key eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) city.In a statement, the airline indicated that this was due to the increasing safety concerns and closure of the airspace.

The city’s capture came following a 48-hour deadline imposed by the group for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons.

Rwandan-backed rebels have taken over much of the city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, although some gunfire can still be heard. There are reports of Congolese and Rwandan troops firing at each other across the border. Columns of M23 rebels have entered the city.