Thousands fled eastern DR Congo on January 23 as rebel fighters made unprecedented advances amidst clashes with the Congolese army, according to reports.Local media reported that large waves of residents mobilized from Sake, approximately 12 miles west of Goma, and stormed displaced persons camps on the outskirts of the city, while others sought refuge in Goma as M23 rebels seized unprecedented territory in their renewed insurgency, which launched in March 2022.The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group, is the latest in a series of insurgencies against Congolese forces. Named after a 2009 peace agreement, it accuses the government of failing to fully integrate Tutsis into the army and administration, Reuters reported.According to local media, after seizing the town of Minova on Tuesday, M23 fighters have continued their offensive, moving into the town of Sake as clashes with the army were reported in the area on Thursday morning.The former governor of the province of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, addressed the population of Goma on Thursday telling citizens “not to give in to panic and rebel propaganda.”Meanwhile, schools in the area decided to release their students until further notice, local media said.Footage captured by Monique Mpabuka shows students in the streets and displaced individuals carrying their belongings. Credit: Monique Mpabuka via Storyful