Dozens of individuals have perished in a brutal assault by an Islamic State affiliate in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials. approximately 20 of the deceased were worshippers participating in a nighttime vigil at a church in the town of Komanda when Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters launched their attack.Nearby businesses and shops were subsequently looted and set ablaze.
The ADF originated in Uganda during the 1990s, asserting that the Ugandan government persecuted Muslims. The group is now based across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo,where it routinely targets civilians of all faiths,as well as continuing attacks in Uganda. It has since become integrated into the Islamic State’s Central African Province, wich also encompasses a group operating in Mozambique. Research indicates that nearly 90% of Islamic State operations are currently conducted by its affiliates in Africa.
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, informed the Associated Press that additional bodies might be discovered following the recent attack. “more than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church] and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing,” Duranthabo stated. Father Aime Lokana Dhego, a local priest, reported to AFP news agency that “We have at least 31 dead members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement, with six seriously injured. Some young people were kidnapped; we have no news of them.” He also mentioned that seven other bodies were found elsewhere in the town. The UN-sponsored Radio Okapi website reported the death toll at 43, while an army spokesperson confirmed 10 fatalities.
in 2021, the Democratic Republic of Congo invited Ugandan troops to assist in combating the ADF; however, attacks persist. Komanda is situated in the mineral-rich Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region that has been a focal point of conflict among various armed groups for many years.
This report contains information regarding a violent attack and its consequences. It does not constitute health, financial, or legal advice.
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