Deadly Attack on Church in Eastern Congo by Rebel Group Associated with ISIS

In a tragic event, the number of fatalities resulting from an assault on a Catholic church in eastern Congo, attributed to rebels with links to the Islamic State, has climbed to 34. This figure was provided by a representative of the local civil society.

According to Dieudonne Duranthabo, a coordinator for civil society in Komanda, Ituri province, "The victims remain at the site of the incident. Volunteers are organizing a mass burial at the church premises."

Additionally, five individuals lost their lives in another attack in the nearby Machongani village. Efforts are underway to locate missing persons taken into the forest, according to Lossa Dhekana, another civil society figure in Ituri.

Authorities suspect members of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF), armed with firearms and machetes, carried out both assaults.

Military authorities have reported at least 10 confirmed deaths, but local news outlets estimate a casualty number exceeding 40.

Details of the Attack

The attackers launched their assault around 1 a.m., targeting the church in Komanda town. In the process, several dwellings and businesses were set ablaze.

Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, a spokesman for the Congolese army in Ituri, verified the loss of 10 lives in the church attack.

Visual evidence circulated online depicted burned buildings and deceased within the church. Mourners identified the victims amid expressions of grief and disbelief.

Reporting from a U.N.-affiliated radio station recorded 43 deaths, citing insiders on security. The perpetrators supposedly launched their attack from a nearby base and withdrew prior to the arrival of security personnel.

Call for Action

Duranthabo expressed strong disapproval of the assault, stating, "It's unacceptable to have such violence in a town with full security personnel presence. Immediate military action is imperative as we believe the attackers remain close."

Eastern Congo has been plagued by frequent assaults from armed factions, notably the ADF and militants supported by Rwanda. The ADF, associating with ISIS, operates at the Uganda-Congo border, with a notable history of civilian attacks.

Background of ADF

The ADF was established in the late 1990s by various disenchanted groups in Uganda, dissatisfied with President Yoweri Museveni's government. Following military pressure, the ADF shifted operations to Congo in 2002, responsible for numerous civilian fatalities. They aligned with the Islamic State in 2019.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Armed Forces face continuous challenges in combating this rebel group, especially after recent conflicts involving the Rwanda-backed M23.