In a harrowing week that has plunged eastern Congo into chaos, at least 773 lives have been lost in and around Goma, the region’s largest city, amid fierce clashes between government forces and M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda.
The conflict escalated dramatically when the rebels seized Goma on Tuesday and pressed southward towards Bukavu. However, Congolese troops, bolstered by the Burundian army, have managed to halt their advance approximately 60 kilometers north of Bukavu.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya revealed the grim statistics during a briefing in Kinshasa, noting that 773 bodies have been counted in Goma’s morgues, with an additional 2,880 individuals hospitalized due to injuries.
Yet, the true extent of the devastation may be far greater. Muyaya cautioned that these figures are preliminary, highlighting that the rebels urged local residents to clear the streets, raising concerns about the existence of mass graves. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution to this escalating violence.
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