Islamic State-affiliated group attacks Congo villages and kills at least 40, local group says
An Islamic State-affiliated group, the Allied Democratic Forces, attacked villages near Congo’s border with Uganda overnight, killing at least 40 people and burning homes, according to a local civil society group. The group, which pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2019, targeted areas in Beni territory and Ituri province, with Amnesty International previously accusing it of war crimes.
An Islamic State-affiliated group launched attacks on villages near Congo’s border with Uganda, killing at least 40 people between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has operated in the region for years, struck villages in Beni territory, North Kivu, and Ituri province, according to Charité Banza, leader of the Ituri civil society group. Banza reported 25 deaths in Beni and 15 in Ituri, along with looting and destruction of homes. The ADF, with roots in Uganda, pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2019. Earlier this week, Amnesty International accused the group of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The attacks highlight ongoing instability in eastern Congo, where armed groups have clashed for years. Local resident Kinos Katua, a member of the civil society group, confirmed the violence in the region. The ADF’s presence has exacerbated tensions in North Kivu and Ituri, where displacement and violence remain persistent issues. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced repeated attacks by armed factions, including the ADF, despite government and international efforts to curb their influence. The latest violence underscores the challenges in maintaining security in the eastern provinces.
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