Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels from the M23 movement have announced the capture of the major city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Reports indicate casualties among international peacekeepers,

(Reuters) -Nine South African soldiers have been killed in eastern Congo's conflict zone, the South African defence department said on Saturday, as Congolese troops and peacekeepers battled to stop an advance by Rwanda-backed rebels on the city of Goma.

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

Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo left six United Nations peacekeepers dead, UN officials said Saturday.

M23 rebels claim they now control the Congolese city of Goma—an act Congo's government described as a 'declaration of war.'