Islamic State-linked militants kill over 43 worshippers during an overnight prayer service in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Image: AP/Olivier Okande/UGC.
(The Post News)– At least 43 people were killed during an overnight prayer service in
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday, in an attack
believed to have been carried out by Islamic State-backed Allied
Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
The attack took place around 1 a.m. in Komanda Town, located in Ituri Province, according to civil society leader Dieudonné Duranthabo. The
Armed men, reportedly wielding machetes and guns, stormed the church.
where worshippers had gathered for prayers.
Duranthabo expressed shock over the killings, noting that Komanda is
considered a secure area. He condemned the violence and called for
stronger measures to protect civilians. Another civil society leader, Lossa Dhekana, stated that many
Individuals were abducted and taken into the bush by the attackers.
although the exact number of captives remains unknown.
Eastern DRC has been plagued by ongoing violence from multiple armed
groups, including the ADF and M23 rebels, the latter of whom are
allegedly supported by Rwanda. The ADF, which originated in Uganda in
the late 1990s, relocated its operations to DRC in 2002 following
military pressure from Ugandan forces. The group has since been
responsible for numerous civilian deaths and is known for its ties to
the Islamic State.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric recently confirmed that
The ADF was responsible for several deadly attacks in Ituri earlier this month, further highlighting the group’s continued threat to
regional stability.
The Congolese army continues to struggle in its efforts to contain the
ADF insurgency, especially amid renewed clashes with the M23 rebel
movement. The ongoing insecurity has left countless civilians
vulnerable, as the eastern region remains a hotspot for militant
violence.
Journalist-Kgopotso@thepostnews.net
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