US orders departure of all non-emergency staff from Democratic Republic of Congo

WASHINGTON

All non-emergency US government employees and eligible family members have been ordered to evacuate from the Congo, the State Department confirmed Wednesday amid worsening fighting between M23 rebels and government forces.

The order was issued Tuesday and came as the State Department raised its travel warning for the country to its highest level, warning US nationals not to travel to the central African nation.

The M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, claimed control of the strategic city of Goma on Monday after entering it one day prior.

At least 25 people have been killed in Goma and nine in Rwanda, with hundreds injured in the fighting. Clashes this week also killed 17 peacekeepers, including 13 from South Africa, three from Malawi, and one from the UN.