Civilians draw water from Lake Kivu after the town was taken by M23 rebels, in Goma, North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, January 30, 2025. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi
(Reuters) -Congolese troops with support from Burundi's army appeared on Friday to be holding back a push south by Rwandan-backed rebels seeking to expand their grip on eastern Congo in a weeks-old advance that has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
Earlier this week the Tutsi-led M23 rebels seized Goma, the largest city in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo - home to lucrative gold, coltan and tin ore mines - before shifting their focus to Bukavu in neighbouring South Kivu province.
