The rebel group M23 has entered the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, continuing their advance against government and United Nations troops. The rebels say they have taken the airport and witnesses say they are near the city center. (from voanews.com)

After days of fighting, M23 rebels have succeeded in their drive against the Congolese army and U.N. peacekeepers and advanced into the capital of North Kivu province.

While the exact situation in Goma is fluid, all accounts say that the rebels are gaining ground.

M23 making advances

Some residents and several journalists confirm M23’s claim to have taken the airport, on the eastern side of the town. Journalists say the rebels also have captured one of the two main border crossings from Goma to Rwanda, also on the eastern side of town.

Congo analyst Thierry Vircoulon of the International Crisis Group said the situation is taking a dire turn for the worse.

“My feeling is that the city is about to fall and we’ll know that during the course of the day, that’s for sure,” said Vircoulon. “And there have been exchanges of fire between Rwanda and the DRC, which means we may not be very far from an open conflict between the two countries.”