In a tragic event that has shocked communities, at least 31 people were killed during an attack in the town of Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an affiliate of the Islamic State. The assault occurred during a night vigil at a church, where worshippers were targeted, leading to individuals being shot both inside and outside the building. Local officials reported widespread violence, including the looting and burning of nearby shops and homes.
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in the region, revealed that while at least 21 bodies had been counted at the church site, the search for additional victims continues, with fears that more may be found. A local priest, Father Aime Lokana Dhego, confirmed the death toll and reported that several others were kidnapped during the attack. The UN-backed Radio Okapi quoted escalating figures, suggesting 43 dead, while an official army spokesperson acknowledged 10 confirmed fatalities.
The ADF, rooted in Uganda in the 1990s, has increasingly focused its operations across the border in DR Congo, where it indiscriminately attacks civilians of various faiths, as part of the Islamic State's Central African Province, which also includes factions in Mozambique. Despite previous collaborations with Ugandan military forces to combat the ADF's growing threat, violence in the mineral-rich Ituri province persists. The region remains a hotspot for armed conflict and civil unrest as various groups vie for control.
As the DR Congo grapples with increased violence from militant groups, communities continue to seek safety and security amidst a backdrop of fear and instability.
