Deadly ADF Assault in Eastern Congo Claims 25 Lives

Goma (DR Congo):At least 25 people were killed in a deadly attack carried out by an Islamic State (IS)-linked group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the early hours of Sunday, according to a local human rights organisation in Ituri province.

The victims were allegedly killed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), with 15 men among the dead reportedly found buried alive inside a house, the organisation said. An additional three people were killed in the Walese Vonkutu administrative area, taking the death toll to at least 25.

“The tragedy occurred around 4 am, and at least 25 people lost their lives. This ADF attack amounts to a real massacre,” said Christophe Munyanderu, president of the Convention for the Respect of Human Rights, a local rights group monitoring violence in the region.

There was no immediate comment from the ADF following the attack. Eastern Congo has witnessed a surge in violence in recent months, with multiple armed groups — including the ADF and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement — carrying out repeated assaults on civilians.

The ADF, which operates mainly in the border region between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been responsible for numerous attacks targeting civilians. The group originated as an insurgent movement opposed to the government of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, but was later pushed into Congolese territory following military operations by Ugandan forces.

In July last year, the group carried out a series of attacks that left more than 100 people dead. In response, the armed forces of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have intensified joint military operations aimed at neutralising the group.