Militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group linked to ISIS, killed 21 people in Mbau, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The death toll rose after additional bodies were found. The ADF also set fire to homes and abducted civilians during the overnight attack.
This attack highlights the persistent and deadly threat posed by Islamic State-linked militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, contributing to a severe security and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group with origins in Uganda and linked to the Islamic State, have killed 21 people in an attack on the town of Mbau in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The death toll increased after more bodies were discovered on the outskirts of the town. The attack, which occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, saw ADF fighters reportedly divided into three groups, targeting the Matete, Kithoho, and Mamuli neighborhoods. During the raid, homes and motorcycles were set on fire. Over the past three days, the ADF has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40 people in Mbau and the wider Beni territory, with several civilians also abducted and held captive. The ongoing violence exacerbates the security crisis in DR Congo, which is also grappling with a worsening public health emergency, including over 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and 246 probable deaths since May 15.