Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebels are moving south towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, in what appears to be an attempt to expand their area of control in the country's east after capturing the city of Goma.

M23 rebels have attacked Goma with heavy firing, killing and injuring many while forcing countless others to flee

After a lightning offensive, M23 rebels now control Goma, a large city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The rebels were advancing toward the center of South Kivu province after capturing several of its towns, including Kalungu, Kanyezire and Mukwinja, according to a local civil society leader and an aid worker in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly.