Intensified clashes between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and Congolese government forces near Goma, a strategically vital city in eastern Congo, triggered the evacuation of the international airport and a temporary halt to commercial flights on Sunday. The fighting has resulted in casualties, including at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, and caused widespread displacement of civilians.

The M23 rebel group's recent advances along the Rwandan border have brought them perilously close to Goma, the provincial capital with a population of approximately two million. The city serves as a critical hub for both security and humanitarian operations in the region. An airport official, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization, confirmed the military's evacuation of the airport and the grounding of commercial flights.

The United Nations advised its personnel to avoid the airport and seek shelter, as per an internal communication. The U.N., the United States, and experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, a group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army over a decade ago. The M23 is one of numerous armed factions vying for control in this mineral-rich area, a region grappling with a protracted conflict that has fueled a major humanitarian crisis.

Rwanda denies providing support to the rebels, but admitted last year to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security reasons, citing the presence of Congolese forces near its border. U.N. experts estimate the number of Rwandan forces in Congo to be as high as 4,000.

The Congolese Foreign Ministry announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Rwanda on Saturday, withdrawing all diplomatic staff immediately. Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, characterized Congo's decision as unilateral and prematurely publicized on social media. He added that Rwanda had already taken steps to evacuate its diplomat in Kinshasa due to perceived threats.

Two U.N. peacekeepers from South Africa and one from Uruguay were killed in the past 48 hours, with 11 others injured and hospitalized, according to a U.N. spokesperson. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the M23 offensive, citing Rwandan Defense Forces support, and urged the rebels to cease hostilities and withdraw.

Heavy gunfire continued to echo through Goma on Sunday morning, prompting a mass exodus from the Kanyaruchinya camp, a major displacement site near the Rwandan border. Displaced individuals expressed fear and desperation, highlighting the risks faced by children and the urgent need for safety and sustenance.

Many sought refuge across the border in Rwanda, while others remained uncertain about their safety even within Goma. Earlier in the week, the rebels captured Sake, a town just 16 miles from Goma, raising concerns about the city's vulnerability. The Congolese army reported repelling an M23 attack with support from allied forces, including U.N. troops and the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC). South Africa's Ministry of Defense confirmed the deaths of seven South African soldiers deployed with SAMIDRC. Since 2021, Congolese forces and their allies have collaborated to prevent M23 from reaching Goma. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, established over two decades ago, maintains approximately 14,000 peacekeepers in the country.