GOMA, Congo — Authorities reported that M23 rebels have taken control of the town of Minova in eastern Congo, a crucial supply route leading to the provincial hub of Goma. This situation has triggered a significant displacement of residents as the rebel faction intensifies its offensive, having already captured several strategic locations in recent weeks.

Jean-Jacques Purusi, the provincial governor of South Kivu, confirmed the takeover of Minova and noted that the rebels also secured the mining towns of Lumbishi, Numbi, and Shanje in the same province, in addition to the town of Bweremana in the adjacent North Kivu province.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Congo’s military acknowledged that the M23 rebels had made “breakthroughs” in both Minova and Bweremana, although they did not provide confirmation regarding the complete capture of these towns by the rebels.

The M23, or March 23 Movement, consists largely of ethnic Tutsis who have been in conflict with the Congolese army for over a decade. Gaining notoriety in 2012, the group previously seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu and the largest city in eastern Congo, located near the Rwandan border.

Part of a broader conflict involving around 100 armed groups seeking control over the mineral-rich areas of eastern Congo, M23’s resurgence has contributed to one of the largest humanitarian crises worldwide, resulting in the displacement of over 7 million individuals.

Congo, along with the United States and United Nations experts, has accused Rwanda of providing support to M23, a claim that Rwanda has consistently denied.

Recently, M23 has made substantial gains in the region, including the capture of the vital mining town of Masisi in North Kivu, which serves as another essential supply route to Goma. Minova itself is strategically significant, functioning as a port on the shores of Lake Kivu and serving as a transit point for various agricultural products heading to Goma, located roughly 28 miles (45 kilometers) away.

According to a report from the United Nations refugee agency, more than 237,000 individuals have fled their homes due to the violence in eastern Congo since the start of this year.