Advances being made by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo are "heightening the threat of a regional war," according to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday spoke separately with the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda about the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres engaged with the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on escalating conflicts in eastern Congo. The talks focused on the non-military resolution and civilian protection,

The UN chief Antonio Guterres said Rwanda was backing M23 rebels as they advance towards the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN secretary general urged Kigali to cease support of M23 rebels and withdraw M23 rebels are closing in on the mineral-rich city of Goma in eastern DRC Thousands have fled the city in the face of the M23

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held talks with the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to address the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. Emphasis was placed on civilian safety amid allegations of Rwandan support for M23 rebels in the region.

M23 rebels captured the key city of Goma in the eastern DRC Monday, forcing thousands of civilians to flee in the latest in a series of advances - Anadolu Ajansı

The UN peacekeeping force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has warned of the risk of ethnically motivated attacks as conditions deteriorate in the region, haunted by the legacy of the 1994 Rwanda genocide and its aftermath.

24 (UPI) --Advances being made by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are "heightening the threat of a regional war," according to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Rwanda-backed rebels who have captured eastern Congo’s largest city say they plan to take their rebellion to the capital and seek to gain political power.

Parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are under siege by a Rwanda-backed rebel group. The violence has killed UN peacekeepers, overwhelmed hospitals, displaced hundreds of thousands and sparked fears of a wider regional conflict.

The United States urged the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to consider measures to halt an offensive by Rwandan troops and M23 rebel forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a conflict there escalates.