Armed fighters linked to the Islamic State carried out coordinated assaults on villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo near the border with Uganda, leaving at least 40 people dead and forcing residents to flee, local civil society representatives said Friday.
The attacks, which unfolded overnight from Wednesday into Thursday afternoon, were attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel movement that originated in Uganda and later aligned itself with the Islamic State group. Witness accounts gathered by community leaders described a series of raids targeting remote settlements, where homes were burned and property looted.
Charité Banza, head of a civil society network in Ituri province, told The Associated Press that at least 25 people were killed in villages within the Beni territory of North Kivu, while an additional 15 victims were recorded in Ituri. Another community member, Kinos Katua, said several residents remained unaccounted for, raising fears the death toll could climb further as search efforts continue.
Local accounts described panic among residents as attackers moved from village to village, setting structures ablaze and seizing belongings. Survivors fled into surrounding bushland, with some seeking refuge across the nearby border.
The Allied Democratic Forces has operated for years in the volatile border region between Congo and Uganda. The group formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, a move that elevated its profile and drew greater international scrutiny. Despite military operations targeting its networks, the group has continued to launch deadly attacks against civilians.
A recent report by Amnesty International accused the Allied Democratic Forces of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, citing a pattern of violence that includes mass killings, abductions and destruction of property. The organization’s findings add to longstanding concerns about the group’s activities in eastern Congo.
The latest violence follows a series of deadly incidents attributed to the group. In July 2025, fighters linked to the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 66 people in eastern Congo in an attack described by the United Nations as a large-scale massacre.
Eastern Congo remains one of the most unstable regions in Africa, with an estimated 100 armed groups operating across its provinces. Among the most prominent is the M23 rebel group, which has seized key urban centers and continues to challenge government forces in the region.
Congolese authorities have struggled to contain the violence despite ongoing military campaigns and international support. The rugged terrain, porous borders and limited state presence have allowed militant groups to maintain strongholds and carry out cross-border operations.
The latest attacks near the Congo-Uganda border highlight the persistent insecurity that has defined eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for decades. While the immediate toll of at least 40 deaths underscores the brutality of the assault, the broader implications point to a deeper and more entrenched crisis.
The involvement of the Allied Democratic Forces reflects the evolving nature of armed groups in the region. By aligning with the Islamic State, the group has expanded its ideological reach and potentially its access to resources and recruitment networks. This shift has complicated counterinsurgency efforts, as local conflicts become intertwined with global militant movements.
The geographic focus of the attacks is also significant. The border region with Uganda provides strategic advantages for militant groups, including the ability to move across jurisdictions and evade sustained military pressure. Cross-border dynamics can hinder coordinated responses, particularly when security priorities differ between neighboring countries.
The humanitarian impact is equally severe. Displacement, loss of livelihoods and psychological trauma continue to affect communities already burdened by years of conflict. The destruction of homes and infrastructure further weakens local resilience, making recovery more difficult and prolonging cycles of instability.
The broader security environment in eastern Congo compounds the challenge. With dozens of armed groups operating simultaneously, efforts to address one threat often leave gaps that others exploit. The presence of the M23 rebel group and other factions creates a fragmented conflict landscape that strains both national and international responses.
International attention has periodically focused on the region, but sustained engagement has been difficult to maintain. Reports from organizations such as Amnesty International and statements from the United Nations continue to highlight the severity of the crisis, yet lasting solutions remain elusive.
From a strategic perspective, the persistence of such attacks suggests that military operations alone may be insufficient. Addressing underlying factors, including governance challenges, economic marginalization and regional tensions, will be critical to reducing the influence of armed groups.
The latest killings serve as a stark reminder that despite periodic offensives and international concern, eastern Congo remains a flashpoint where civilians bear the brunt of ongoing violence. Without a coordinated and sustained effort that combines security, political and humanitarian approaches, similar attacks are likely to continue.
AP
