Congolese rebels and allied Rwandan forces entered the outskirts of Goma on Sunday and the airport in the key eastern city was no longer in use, the top UN official in the country said. Thousands fled the fighting that also killed at least 13 peacekeepers.

(Reuters) -Congolese authorities have blocked access to the airport in Goma, a provincial capital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and cancelled flights as Rwandan-backed rebels advance on the city,

Eastern Congo remains a tinderbox of rebel zones and militia fiefdoms in the wake of two successive regional wars stemming from Rwanda

Congolese rebels and Rwandan forces have closed Goma's airport, causing mass evacuations and raising concerns over humanitarian efforts.

Access to Goma airport in eastern DRC has been blocked, with some flights canceled as rebels advance. The rebels declared the airspace over Goma closed. Two official Congolese sources confirmed the situation to Reuters.

Congolese authorities have blocked access to the airport in Goma, a provincial capital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and cancelled flights as Rwandan-backed rebels advance on the city, three officials told Reuters on Sunday.

The international airport in Goma was evacuated and commercial flights temporarily grounded on Sunday as fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and government forces raged around eastern Congo's key city,

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congolese authorities have blocked access to Goma's airport due to an advance by Rwandan-backed rebels. The U.N. has urged staff to shelter in place. The ongoing conflict has led to U.