KINSHASA, Feb 2, (V7N) – At least 773 people have been killed and 2,880 injured this week in Goma and surrounding areas as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized control of eastern Congo's largest city, marking a major escalation in the decade-long conflict.

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the death toll remains provisional, as reports of mass graves and evacuated bodies suggest higher casualties.

 “The rebels asked the population to clean the streets of Goma. There should be mass graves, and the Rwandans took care to evacuate theirs,” Muyaya stated.

As fighting continued on Saturday, some residents cautiously returned, with rebels restoring water and power. However, the city remains littered with weapons debris and the stench of blood.

 “I’m tired and don’t know which way to go. On every corner, there is a mourner,” said Jean Marcus, 25, whose relative was among the victims.

The M23 rebel group, backed by 4,000 Rwandan troops, has been pushing forward at a rapid pace, reportedly advancing 37 miles in two days, according to U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

The rebels have now positioned themselves 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Bukavu, a key provincial capital in South Kivu. Capturing an airport near Bukavu would mark another significant step in their offensive.

The crisis has paralyzed humanitarian operations, with 6 million people displaced in eastern Congo. Goma, a crucial humanitarian hub, has been cut off, worsening an already dire situation.

 “The escalation of violence toward Bukavu raises fears of even greater displacement,” said Rose Tchwenko, Country Director for Mercy Corps in Congo.

Military Struggles & Human Rights Abuses

The Congolese military has struggled to hold ground, suffering heavy losses, while some foreign mercenaries surrendered to M23. However, the army recaptured three villages in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory earlier this week.

The U.N. documented extrajudicial killings and forced conscription by M23 rebels.

At least 12 civilians were summarily executed by M23 from Jan. 26-28.

The rebels have occupied schools and hospitals, forcing civilians into forced labor and military service.

Meanwhile, Congolese forces have also faced accusations of sexual violence, with the U.N. verifying reports that 52 women were raped by Congolese troops in South Kivu.

Rebels Vow to March on Kinshasa

M23 rebels have declared they will march to Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) west.

With Goma fallen and Bukavu under threat, concerns are growing over the next phase of the conflict and its impact on millions of civilians in eastern Congo.

END/WD/RH/