In brief
In eastern Congo, a brutal attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the Islamic State, has resulted in the deaths of over 60 individuals. Survivors described horrific scenes of violence at a burial gathering in Ntoyo, North Kivu. Despite ongoing military operations by Congo and Uganda aimed at curbing ADF violence, attacks on civilians continue, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by various conflicts in the region.
GOMA, Congo — A recent attack attributed to the Islamic-State-affiliated rebel group, the Allied Democratic Forces, has left at least 60 individuals dead in eastern Congo, an official reported. The violent incident occurred in Ntoyo, North Kivu, where residents had gathered for a burial. Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator, indicated that the death toll could rise as efforts are underway to account for the victims, some of whom were reportedly beheaded.A survivor recounted the horrors she witnessed, stating, There were about 10 of them. I saw machetes. They told people to gather in one place and started cutting them. I listened to people screaming and I fainted. This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in eastern Congo, where the ADF has been increasingly active, especially near the border with Uganda. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, has conducted multiple attacks in recent months. In July alone, they were responsible for a church attack in Ituri province that killed at least 34 people, and an earlier incident in Irumu claiming the lives of 66 others. Despite efforts by the Congolese and Ugandan militaries to dismantle the rebel group, the ADF continues to endanger civilian lives. The ongoing violence compounds an already critical situation in the region, characterized by various armed conflicts, including those involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel groups and the central government.
