- Dozens of civilians have been slaughtered
- Local sources point to ADF as the culprits
- The attacks targeted villages around the city of Beni,
Dozens of civilians have been slaughtered in a series of attacks that ripped through the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province this week.
Local sources point to the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) as the culprits, but the Congolese government has yet to confirm.
The attacks, targeting villages around the city of Beni, have left at least 45 civilians dead. Fearing further violence, many residents have fled to areas perceived as safer.
Reports indicate the worst-hit district was Mamove, where homes were burned and motorcycles stolen.
“The death toll may rise as search efforts continue,” stated Leon Siviwe, a Beni administrator, to AFP news agency. “People are fleeing towards areas they believe are secure.”
The ADF, a rebel group formed in neighboring Uganda, has a long history of violence. Initially targeting the Ugandan government, they are suspected of aligning with the Islamic State in recent years, although analysts question the strength of this connection.
An online Islamic State claim suggests a religious motive behind one of this week’s attacks.
Joint military efforts by Uganda and Congo to combat the ADF began in 2021, but attacks on civilians persist.
Further complicating the situation, the M23 rebel group has resurfaced in eastern Congo, seizing territory from government forces. Rwanda is suspected of backing the M23, a charge they strongly deny.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern region remains a hotbed of violence, with civilians caught in the crossfire of armed groups vying for control and resources.
