M23 rebels advance as DRC gov’t offers $5m reward to capture rebel leaders

A view shows the remains of a vehicle hit by heavy and light weapons before Goma fell to M23 rebels, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [File: Arlette Bashizi/Reuters]

The M23 armed group has pushed deeper into the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mineral-rich region after capturing the key cities of Goma and Bukavu – the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, respectively – in recent weeks.

Security sources have told Al Jazeera that the Rwanda-backed rebels had entered Nyabiondo village, about 100km (62 miles) north of Goma and located on the road leading to the strategic town of Walikale in North Kivu.