GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized control of a mining town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, eight sources said on Wednesday,

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels captured the mining town of Nyabibwe in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province, violating a ceasefire they declared earlier this week, according to NBC News. The rebels now advance toward Bukavu, raising fears of further conflict after seizing the city of Goma last week.

Rebels in eastern Congo's largest city, Goma, began a ceasefire on Tuesday and people rushed to bury some 2,000 victims of last week's battles for the city as they feared the spread of disease.

Rebel groups, including the M23 rebels, have declared a humanitarian ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 900 have been killed and nearly 3,000 others injured in recent fighting around the city of Goma,

Congolese M23 rebels are seen as they withdraw from the 3 antennes location in Kibumba, near Goma, North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 23, 2022.

The Eastern Congo rebel alliance that includes the M23 has declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons starting on Feb. 4, the group known as the Congo River Alliance said in a statement.

The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured a major city in eastern Congo have sought to reassure its residents about their safety

Rwanda-backed rebels gained ground in eastern Congo on Wednesday despite the unilateral ceasefire they declared earlier this week, taking control of a town 60 miles from the provincial capital of Bukavu,