At least 900 people killed in fighting for the town of Goma in DR Congo

The number of people killed in the attack of rebels from the group M23 ("March 23 Movement") on the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached more than 900 people. This was reported by the Congolese publication Actualite on February 3, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

"With ICRC support, the Congolese Red Cross has been actively involved in the removal of bodies. WHO estimates that as of January 31, at least 900 bodies had been found on the streets, not counting those already in morgues," the publication reported.

It is also reported that from January 26 to 30, about 2,880 wounded with various injuries were brought to medical institutions.

At the same time, the data given by the Red Cross are much higher than those reported by the local Ministry of Health on the same day. Thus, according to the authorities, during the same period from January 26 to January 31, 773 deaths were registered with 2,880 wounded and injured.

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On January 31, during a briefing, the representative of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric reported the deaths of at least 700 people in Goma. Moreover, as Dujarric emphasized, the number of killed and wounded is expected to "increase as more information becomes available."

On January 27, the leader of the March 23 Movement, Cornel Nangaa, claimed to have taken control of the city of Goma. Rebels cut food and essential supplies routes into the city from the south. Reuters reported on January 28 that Congolese rebels from M23 took control of the airport of the city of Goma. It was noted that it was through it that the UN, humanitarian groups and peacekeepers were delivering supplies.

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, in turn, emphasized that Russia strongly condemns the actions of the Congolese rebel group M23 in the DRC and calls for a cessation of hostilities.

The aggravation of the situation in DR Congo occurred after the government severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda and accused the country of supporting the rebels, who launched a new offensive on the city of Goma. The DRC Foreign Ministry on January 26 announced the immediate withdrawal of its diplomats in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and ordered the country's embassy in Kinshasa to cease operations within 48 hours.