The Congolese army has confirmed that extremist-linked rebels have carried out a deadly raid on a rural community in the volatile eastern region near the border with Uganda. At least a dozen people have been reported killed in the latest violence.
The rebels, known as Allied Democratic Forces and with ties to the Islamic State group, have been active in the border area for some time. According to the United Nations, nearly 200 people have lost their lives in the region this year due to ongoing conflict.
On Tuesday, the Congolese army spokesperson in North Kivu province revealed that the attackers had set a local hospital on fire and abducted several civilians. In response, the army engaged the rebels, resulting in the deaths of four attackers and the rescue of four individuals.
Local sources indicate a higher civilian death toll, with at least 17 people, including four young children, reported killed. Additionally, 15 individuals remain missing after being taken captive by the rebels. Survivors have fled their villages and sought refuge in nearby urban centers such as Beni and Mangina.
Eastern Congo has been plagued by conflict for many years, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of valuable mineral resources and seeking to protect their communities. Mass killings by rebel groups are unfortunately common, leading to the displacement of over seven million people from their homes, as reported by the U.N.
Bintou Keita, the top U.N. envoy to Congo, has raised concerns about the escalating violence in the region, with thousands of human rights abuses, including incidents of rape and gender-based violence, documented this year.
