Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo's largest city, Goma, as the United Nations described a "mass panic" among its two million people.

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?

The city’s capture came following a 48-hour deadline imposed by the group for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claim to have captured Goma, escalating tensions in eastern Congo's mineral-rich region. UN reports mass panic as Congolese forces are urged to surrender. Congo severed ties with Rwanda,

M23 insurgency in eastern Congo has intensified in January with the rebels seizing control of more territory than ever before, prompting the United Nations to warn of the risk of a broader regional war.

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

The M23 armed group has seized further territory in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and on Thursday was continuing to tighten its grip on provincial capital Goma, which is almost surrounded by fighting.

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.

M23 insurgency has intensified, with the Rwanda-backed rebels seizing control of more territory than ever before, prompting the U.N. to warn of the risk of a broader war. South Africa said nine of its peacekeepers were killed in fighting.