Gunfire shook Goma overnight as fighting flared between M23 rebels and pro-government forces.
Heavy gunfire and artillery fire rocked the western neighborhoods of Goma in eastern DRC overnight, with residents reporting blasts into the early morning hours.
Local media said the fighting involved M23 rebels, who have controlled Goma since January, along with armed factions believed to be linked to the pro-government Wazalendo militias and the DRC armed forces (FARDC).
The casualty toll from the clashes remains unclear. A government statement reported 52 deaths in and around Goma, though the figure could not be independently confirmed.
Since seizing Goma, the M23 has set up a parallel administration in North Kivu’s provincial capital. Hostilities continue to erupt across the province, a volatile hotspot in eastern DRC’s prolonged conflict.
M23 rebel leaders have arrived in Qatar for further talks with mediators, following an earlier meeting between the presidents of DRC and Rwanda.
Rwanda has expressed support for the M23 rebel group's decision to withdraw from the strategic mining town of Walikale in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for the DRC's commitment to halting hostilities as part of ongoing peace efforts.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced Monday that it will withdraw from peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola. The rebels had planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to resolve the conflict in the country's east.
Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Angola, will start on 18 March in Luanda. The conflict in eastern Congo has displaced thousands.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to attend the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, as preparations continue for a possible fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman over the weekend.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet with Ukraine’s foreign minister and representatives from 17 other EU countries in Lviv on Friday to confirm support for establishing an International Tribunal for war crimes and aggression.
Britain and Switzerland have signed an agreement to explore the creation of a direct rail connection between London and Switzerland, aiming to expand cross-border train travel beyond existing routes to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to attend the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, as preparations continue for a possible fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman over the weekend.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to attend the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, as preparations continue for a possible fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman over the weekend.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
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