Video showed inmates escaping a prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels entered the eastern city of Goma. Thousands of civilians and Congolese soldiers fled to neighboring Rwanda in the latest escalation of conflict in the region.

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Thousands fled the city of Goma on Monday as fighting raged between Congolese forces and rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda, who claimed to have captured eastern Congo’s largest regional hub.

Rwandan-backed rebels marched into east Congo's largest city Goma on Monday and Congolese troops exchanged fire with the Rwandan military across the border, in the worst escalation of a long-running conflict for more than a decade.

Fighting in Congo has escalated in recent days despite calls from the UN Security Council for the insurgents to withdraw

Heavy artillery fire could be heard in Goma on Monday, hours after Rwandan troops and fighters from the M23 rebel group entered the capital of North Kivu Province. The UN has warned of a looming crisis.

Ethnic Tutsi-led M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have infiltrated Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, escalating tensions and renewing fears of regional war. The conflict stems from the fallout of Rwanda's 1994 genocide,

Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said Kinshasa wanted to prevent "carnage," with Rwanda's forces in the east of the country. It comes after the M23 group claimed to have taken the city of Goma.

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo were reported to have taken the key eastern city of Goma in fierce fighting with government forces that sent streams of refugees fleeing area communities.

Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels from the M23 movement have announced the capture of the major city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Reports indicate casualties among international peacekeepers,

The United Nations, African Union and East African Community condemned the capture of the city, putting Rwanda in the spotlight.

Speaking at a meeting of the African Union Institutional Reforms Retreat at State House Nairobi, President Ruto urged both President Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to engage in dialogue to resolve the standoff.