It is still unclear how many people have died in the ongoing conflict pitting the M23 and the Congolese army. Bodies of soldiers could be seen lying on the streets Thursday. The residents of Goma witnessed hundreds of bodies mainly of soldiers lying in the streets with hospitals overrun with those injured during the conflict.

When M23 rebels swept into the Congolese city of Goma this week, world powers urged them to immediately withdraw. Instead, the Rwanda-backed insurgents are intent on showing they can restore order and govern.

The United Nations says Rwanda-backed rebels captured large parts of eastern Congo’s largest city of Goma including its airport