Intense fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and Congolese government forces near Goma, a major city in eastern Congo, forced the evacuation of Goma’s international airport and the temporary suspension of commercial flights on Sunday. At least 13 peacekeepers and allied soldiers died in the clashes, and thousands of civilians were displaced.

The M23 rebels have recently made significant territorial gains along the Rwandan border, advancing towards Goma, a regional center with a population of approximately 2 million, crucial for security and humanitarian operations.

An airport official, speaking anonymously due to authorization restrictions, confirmed to the Associated Press that the military evacuated Goma’s international airport (located east of the city) and halted commercial flights due to the ongoing conflict.

An internal email viewed by the AP instructed staff to remain in place and avoid the airport on Sunday.

The Congolese government, the United States, and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, a primarily Tutsi rebel group that split from the Congolese army over a decade ago. The M23 is one of numerous armed groups vying for control in the resource-rich region, fueling a major humanitarian crisis.

Rwanda denies supporting the rebels but admitted last year to deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security reasons, citing a buildup of Congolese forces near the border. UN experts estimate that as many as 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are present in Congo.

Late Saturday, the Congolese Foreign Ministry announced the immediate severing of diplomatic ties with Rwanda and the withdrawal of all its diplomatic personnel.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, told the AP on Sunday that Congo’s decision was unilateral, even appearing on social media before the embassy received official notification. He stated that Rwanda evacuated its remaining diplomat in Kinshasa, who faced threats from Congolese officials, on Friday.

According to the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, two UN peacekeepers (one each from and Uruguay) were killed and 11 injured in the previous 48 hours, requiring hospitalization. This announcement preceded an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

The UN chief strongly condemned the M23 offensive, attributing it to support from the Rwandan Defense Forces, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of M23 forces, according to UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

Heavy gunfire echoed across Goma on Sunday morning, close to the front lines. Numerous displaced adults and children fled the Kanyaruchinya camp, a large camp near the Rwandan border, heading south toward Goma.

“We’re fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” explained Safi Shangwe, en route to Goma.

“We are tired and afraid; our children risk starvation,” she added.

Some displaced individuals expressed concern about safety in Goma as well.

“We’re going to Goma, but I heard there are bombs in Goma too, so we don’t know where to go,” said Adèle Shimiye.

Hundreds attempted to cross the border at the “Great Barrier” crossing east of Goma on Sunday, with migration officers thoroughly checking travel documents.

“I’m crossing to find refuge because security in the city isn’t guaranteed,” Muahadi Amani, a Goma resident, told the AP.

Earlier in the week, the rebels captured Sake, 16 miles from Goma, escalating fears of the city’s imminent fall.

Congo’s army reported repelling an M23 offensive on Saturday with support from allied forces, including UN troops and soldiers from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC).

South Africa’s Ministry of Defense reported the deaths of seven South African SAMIDIRC troops and two South African peacekeepers in recent days.

Since 2021, Congolese government forces and allies, including SAMIDRC and UN troops, have prevented M23 from reaching Goma. The UN peacekeeping force, present in Congo for over two decades, currently has approximately 14,000 peacekeepers deployed.