Islamic State-Linked Rebels Kill Dozens in Eastern Congo Village Attack
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo — At least 43 civilians were killed in an overnight attack in eastern Congo, officials said Thursday, in one of the latest assaults attributed to rebels linked to the Islamic State group.
Fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces attacked the village of Bafwakoa on Wednesday night, setting homes ablaze and targeting residents, according to local authorities and civil society representatives.
“They set fire to houses in the village,” said Samuel Banapia, a local civil society member, speaking by phone.
The Congolese military confirmed 43 deaths, while local officials said the toll could be higher—at least 56—with several people still missing and at least two reported abducted.
The ADF, an armed group with origins in neighboring Uganda, operates across the porous border and has been active in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for decades. It formally aligned itself with the Islamic State in 2019.
Military officials said the group avoids direct confrontation with government forces, instead targeting civilians in what they described as retaliatory attacks.
“The ADF avoids direct combat with the army and all its partners,” said Lt. Jules Ngongo, a military spokesperson in eastern Congo. “That’s why they attack the population in a way that sabotages peace efforts.”
Eastern Congo remains one of the most volatile regions in Africa, with multiple armed groups competing for control. Among them is the M23, which has seized key areas in recent years and further complicated security operations.
ADF attacks have intensified along the border with Uganda and expanded toward major population centers, including Goma and parts of Ituri province. Last year, the group killed dozens in a similar attack in a nearby area.
The latest violence underscores the challenges facing Congolese forces, which are stretched across multiple fronts and have struggled to protect civilians in remote regions.
Authorities said operations are ongoing to track the attackers and locate those still missing.
