In a horrific attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), over 50 individuals were killed while attending a funeral ceremony in the village of Ntoyo. The assault, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a group associated with the Islamic State—occurred during the night, with most victims reportedly killed by machetes. Local reports indicate that the death toll may be higher, with claims from Islamic State-affiliated sources suggesting that over 100 people might have died.
Macaire Sivikunula, a local administrator, confirmed the provisional death toll, noting how the mourners were caught off guard. DRC military spokesperson Lieutenant Marc Elongo indicated that the ADF fighters had already completed their assault by the time soldiers arrived.
The ADF, which initially formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has since relocated to DRC and has been conducting a string of attacks in both countries, raising alarms about the strengthening of its insurgency. This attack follows a similar incident in July, where insurgents killed more than 40 worshippers during a night vigil in the town of Komanda.
The growing frequency of such violence underscores the troubling trend of jihadist activities in Central Africa, where nearly 90% of Islamic State operations are now executed by affiliates, particularly in Africa.
Macaire Sivikunula, a local administrator, confirmed the provisional death toll, noting how the mourners were caught off guard. DRC military spokesperson Lieutenant Marc Elongo indicated that the ADF fighters had already completed their assault by the time soldiers arrived.
The ADF, which initially formed in Uganda in the 1990s, has since relocated to DRC and has been conducting a string of attacks in both countries, raising alarms about the strengthening of its insurgency. This attack follows a similar incident in July, where insurgents killed more than 40 worshippers during a night vigil in the town of Komanda.
The growing frequency of such violence underscores the troubling trend of jihadist activities in Central Africa, where nearly 90% of Islamic State operations are now executed by affiliates, particularly in Africa.
