Daesh-Linked Terror Attack Claims Over 43 Lives

In a tragic assault underscoring the persistent instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, at least 43 civilians lost their lives in a heinous attack perpetrated by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants, linked to Daesh. Authorities confirmed the grim toll on Thursday, as armed groups continue to plague the region.

The onslaught occurred in Bafwakoa, a village near the Ugandan border. The ADF, a notorious Ugandan militant group with Daesh affiliations, has been operating across this permeable boundary.

This attack unfolds against the backdrop of potential peace prospects with another insurgent faction, the M23, which is supported by Rwanda. “The assault began yesterday at around 7 p.m., when ADF fighters stormed the village, torching homes and brutally killing around 32 people,” reported Samuel Banapia, a local civil society representative, via phone.

According to regional officials, at least 30 victims were killed with machetes, and several individuals remain unaccounted for, with at least two held captive.

The Congolese military faces challenges quelling these insurgents, particularly as it contends with other groups, most notably the Rwanda-backed M23, which captured key eastern cities last year. “ADF fighters avoid engaging the army directly. Their strategy revolves around striking civilians, undermining peace initiatives, and retaliating against the populace,” explained Lt. Jules Ngongo, speaking for the Armed Forces in Ituri, over the phone.

The exact number of ADF combatants in Congo remains uncertain. However, their influence is significant, as they frequently target civilians. The group emerged in the late 1990s in Uganda, aligning with Daesh in 2019.

In recent times, ADF hostilities have increased near Congo’s border with Uganda, extending towards Goma and the adjacent Ituri province. Last year alone, this militia claimed 66 lives and abducted several people in neighboring territories.