In a shocking incident in north-eastern DR Congo, an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), affiliated with the Islamic State, claimed the lives of at least 43 people, primarily worshippers attending a church vigil. The ongoing violence highlights the perilous security situation in the region, despite previous military efforts to combat such extremist groups.
Worshippers Targeted in Deadly Attack by Islamic State Affiliate in DR Congo
Worshippers Targeted in Deadly Attack by Islamic State Affiliate in DR Congo
A night vigil in the town of Komanda turned tragic as ADF fighters, linked to the Islamic State, launch a deadly assault resulting in multiple casualties.
Dozens of churchgoers fell victim to a violent assault carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an affiliate of the Islamic State, during a night vigil in the town of Komanda, Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports indicate that around 20 of the deceased were worshippers participating in the vigil, while attackers looted and set fire to nearby shops and businesses.
Emerging from Uganda in the 1990s, the ADF originally cited government persecution of Muslims as its motivation. In recent years, the group has relocated its operations to the DR Congo, where it increasingly targets civilians across various religious backgrounds. As part of the Islamic State's Central African Province, the ADF has been linked to numerous attacks in the region, now accounting for a staggering 90% of IS operations in Africa according to BBC Monitoring.
Local civil society leader Dieudonne Duranthabo informed the Associated Press that additional victims may still be uncovered, adding, "More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church] and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. The search is continuing." Father Aime Lokana Dhego, a priest in the area, confirmed a higher death toll, stating there were "at least 31 dead members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement," with several injured and some youths reportedly kidnapped.
With the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi estimating the death toll at 43, conflicting reports persist. An army spokesperson confirmed at least 10 fatalities. Despite invitations for Ugandan troop assistance to combat ADF violence in DR Congo in 2021, attacks remain rampant, particularly in the mineral-rich Ituri province, long plagued by conflict among armed factions.
