Rwandan-backed rebels captured the city of Goma in eastern Congo early Monday, according to a press release by the M23 rebel movement. The city's capture came following a 48-hour deadline imposed by the group for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons.

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 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,