Malawi and Uruguay said four of their troops were killed in clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo against Rwandan-backed rebels, bringing the death toll among United Nations and southern African peacekeepers to at least 13 by Sunday.

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.

At least 13 foreign soldiers, nine South African, have been killed in the worsening conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Three U.N. peacekeepers from South Africa have been killed fighting M23 rebels in eastern Congo. A political party and a trade union said Saturday that the peacekeepers were killed on

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.

Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo has left at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead. M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling the eastern city of Goma.