Rwandan-backed fighters closed in on eastern Congo's largest city of Goma on Sunday, forcing thousands of civilians to flee and grounding flights from the local airport as government forces battled to stop the rebels seizing the city.

Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and government forces rages around the key eastern city of Goma.

Armed rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have closed in on Goma, a major city in the country. This comes as thousands have fled their homes to escape the violence. NBC News' Kier Simmons has more on the invasion.