Nine United Nations peacekeepers in eastern Congo sustained injuries during fighting with the M23 armed group, the U.N. said, as the rebels close in on Goma.

Congolese troops pushed back an attempted overnight advance by Rwanda-backed rebels on the eastern city of Goma, two Congolese army sources said on Saturday, after the sound of nearby heavy bombardment rocked the city in the early hours.

In recent clashes with M23 rebels in eastern Congo, six UN peacekeepers from various nations have been killed. The M23 has gained significant ground near Goma, prompting the UN to relocate nonessential staff.