Suspected Islamic State-affiliated rebels killed at least 19 civilians during an overnight attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local officials said on Monday, further heightening insecurity in the volatile, mineral-rich region.
The assault, believed to have been carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), took place in the village of Mukondo in North Kivu province, according to Alain Kiwewa, the military administrator for Lubero territory, where the village is located. He warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
The ADF, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is also known as the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks in recent months — including a September assault on a funeral that killed more than 60 civilians. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the Mukondo attack.
Witnesses said the attackers wore Congolese army-style uniforms, allowing them to enter the village undetected before launching the assault. The rebels reportedly used guns, knives, and clubs to kill residents, a local pastor told reporters on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Local civil society leader Espoir Kambale confirmed the death toll at 19, saying eight people were wounded and 26 houses burned.
“We are asking ourselves how the rebels could attack when we believed the village was secure,” Kambale said. “The population is in panic. Some residents fled into the bush and have not returned.”
The ADF originated in Uganda in the 1990s before relocating to the forests of eastern Congo, where it has waged a violent insurgency. Recognized by Islamic State as its Central Africa affiliate, the group has intensified attacks despite regional military operations aimed at dismantling its networks.
The latest incident underscores the worsening security crisis in eastern Congo, where multiple armed groups — including the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels — continue to destabilize the region and threaten regional peace efforts.
Source:Africa Publicity
