20 Dead In Eastern DR Congo As Militants Strike Village

A violent assault in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in the deaths of around 20 individuals.

Local reports received by AFP on Thursday suggest that the attack was carried out by militants associated with the Islamic State group.

Residents have identified the perpetrators as members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group operating in the Beni territory of North Kivu province.

The victims, who were working in their fields, were attacked in a village approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Oicha, the capital of Beni territory.

Mayor Nicolas Kikuku of Oicha reported that 20 people were confirmed dead, stating, “The attackers consistently target impoverished farmers.”

The assailants used guns and knives in their assault. While the mayor could not confirm the exact date of the incident, it is known that 19 of the bodies were brought to the morgue the previous night.

Darius Syaira, a civil society representative for Beni, mentioned that other bodies were discovered in the same area, though a complete count is yet to be determined.

Syaira called for increased military support in the region west of Oicha, urging for a more aggressive response against the ADF, who have been a persistent threat.

The ADF, initially composed of Ugandan Muslim rebels, has been active in eastern DR Congo for over 30 years, causing widespread civilian casualties.

Despite joint operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces since late 2021 aimed at curbing ADF violence in North Kivu and neighboring Ituri province, the attacks on civilians continue unabated.

In 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, positioning itself as its Central African affiliate. The group has been implicated in numerous attacks against Congolese civilians and has also targeted Uganda.