Church Attack in Eastern Congo by IS-Linked Rebels Leaves Over 21 Dead
At least 21 individuals lost their lives in a violent assault on a Catholic church located in eastern Congo’s Ituri province early on Sunday. The attack has been attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group with ties to the Islamic State (IS).
The incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. in the town of Komanda, where militants from the ADF, wielding machetes, invaded the church compound. They targeted worshippers and set fire to adjacent homes and shops. While the Congolese military has confirmed a minimum of 10 fatalities, reports from local media and international entities suggest the death toll could be much higher, with some estimates exceeding 40 victims.
A United Nations-backed radio station, referencing security officials, reported that 43 people were killed. According to the station, the attackers originated from a base located nearly 12 kilometers away from Komanda. The militants reportedly fled prior to the arrival of security forces.
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has endured persistent violence from various armed factions. The ADF, in particular, has frequently targeted civilians in both the Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Earlier this month, the group was implicated in a massacre that the United Nations described as a “bloodbath,” which resulted in multiple deaths.
The ADF was established in the late 1990s by several rebel factions in Uganda opposed to President Yoweri Museveni. Following intense military operations, the group relocated to Congo in 2002, and since then, it has been implicated in the deaths of thousands. In 2019, the ADF officially pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which has heightened its notoriety and violent acts.
The recent attack highlights the worsening security situation in eastern Congo, despite ongoing regional and international efforts to curb extremist violence. Authorities have initiated search operations in the affected area, but there is significant concern about potential future attacks on vulnerable communities.
