Dozens killed in rebel attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Urgent statement from the armed forces
At least 43 people were killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization, in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese armed forces announced.
The army spokesman in Ituri province, Jules Chikodi Ngongo, said that the attack on Wednesday in the town of Pfuakoa resulted in the deaths of 43 civilians, describing the incident as one of the bloodiest attacks the region has witnessed.
In contrast, local sources indicated that the number of victims was no less than 35 dead, reflecting a discrepancy in the initial estimates of the attack's toll.
What are the Allied Democratic Forces?
The Allied Democratic Forces is one of the most dangerous armed groups active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It emerged in the mid-1990s, but its roots originally go back to Uganda.
The movement was founded as an alliance of Ugandan rebel groups opposed to the government, before moving into Congolese territory and establishing itself in rugged border areas, taking advantage of weak state control there and the complexities of local conflicts.
Over the years, this group has evolved from a local insurgency into a highly violent armed organization, notorious for attacks directly targeting civilians, including mass killings, kidnappings, and looting.
The geographical nature of the region, especially the dense forests in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, contributed to giving it a safe haven that was difficult for regular forces to fully penetrate, allowing it to continue despite repeated military campaigns.
In recent years, a significant shift has emerged in the nature of the organization, as ISIS announced its affiliation with it, and the Allied Democratic Forces became classified as one of its branches in Central Africa, which increased the seriousness of its operations and gave them an international dimension, whether in terms of funding, propaganda, or the pattern of more organized attacks.
