Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described a mass panic among its 2 million people and Congo’s government said the rebel advance was a “declaration of war.

Witnesses say they saw rebels enter the centre of the eastern city amid gunfire, as UN calls for an end to offensive.

Gunfire rang out early on Monday across parts of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, hours after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels said they had taken control of the city despite the United Nations

The Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 is battling Congolese government forces in Congo's key city of Goma, causing the international airport there to be evacuated.

Rwanda-backed rebels entered the outskirts of eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, on Sunday, causing what the United Nations called “mass panic” among its 2 million people and leading

The three-year insurgency by the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 has intensified, and the U.N. warned the violence could spill into a wider war.

Rwandan backed rebels have entered the city of Goma, a key city in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Could the mineral rich region be in danger of tipping into all out regional conflict?

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, accompanied by Rwandan forces, advanced on Goma, a regional hub for security and humanitarian operations, this week

People displaced by the fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the center of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo on Jan 26. (AP)

Rwandan-backed rebels capture Goma, Congo, sparking fears of escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis, amid international calls for peace.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Congolese M23 rebels entered the centre of the eastern city of Goma on Monday, two witnesses said, hours after they claimed to have seized the city despite the United Nations Security Council demanding an end to the offensive.