GOMA, Congo (AP) — A rebel spokesman in Congo says his fighters have pulled back several miles (kilometers) to the town of Sake and are on track to leave the eastern city of Goma on Friday, in accordance with a deadline imposed by the nations neighboring Congo.

Sake is 27 kilometers (18 miles) outside of Goma, and was taken last week by the M23 rebels right after the fall of Goma. The capture of Goma along the Rwandan border in mineral-rich east Congo was one of the most humiliating defeats for the enormous but inept Congolese military.

Rebel spokesman Lt. Col. Vianney Kazarama told The Associated Press on Thursday: "We are withdrawing. Tomorrow we will (retreat to) Goma," on track to leave the city as asked. Rebels patrolled streets of Goma Thursday morning.