15 people killed in armed attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has witnessed a serious escalation in violence, with at least 15 people, including two government soldiers, killed in a violent armed attack targeting three remote villages. The attack has been attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) and is highly active in this volatile region.
Details of the simultaneous attack
According to concurring military and local sources, armed men launched simultaneous and surprise attacks on the villages of Katanga, Maindelo, and Kilong, located in the Lubero area of northwestern North Kivu province. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers fired indiscriminately and directly at unarmed civilians, resulting in a large number of casualties. The attackers not only killed but also set fire to property, with 13 houses reportedly burned to the ground, causing widespread panic and displacement among the residents.
Historical background: Allied Democratic Forces
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is one of the most brutal armed groups in eastern Congo. Its roots trace back to Ugandan rebels who have been based in eastern Congo since the mid-1990s. Over the decades, the group has transformed from a political insurgency against the Ugandan government into an extremist organization that perpetrates indiscriminate violence against Congolese civilians. In recent years, the group's threat has intensified following its pledge of allegiance to ISIS, which calls itself the "Central Africa Province," thus giving its local threat an international dimension.
Regional context and military efforts
This attack comes at a time when the mineral-rich province of North Kivu has been plagued by decades of instability. Dozens of armed groups vie for control of territory and resources in the region, making it a constant flashpoint in the Great Lakes region. In response to these threats, the Congolese and Ugandan armies have been conducting joint military operations since late 2021 to pursue Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements and dismantle their strongholds in the dense forests.
In an official comment on the latest incident, the army spokesman in the region confirmed that units of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, supported by Ugandan army forces, had begun a large-scale search operation to pursue the perpetrators and secure the affected villages, in an attempt to reassure the population and prevent a recurrence of such massacres that hinder efforts for stability and development in the country.
