In a tragic incident in northeastern Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), suspected Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels have killed 20 civilians.
The victims were taken hostage during an ADF raid on Babila Babombi, a locality in Mambasa.
Reports indicate that the rebels decapitated the hostages, a gruesome tactic commonly used by the ADF.
This attack is part of a disturbing pattern of violence in the region, where the ADF has been active for decades.
The victims, including gold miners, traders, and farmers, were captured during attacks on nearby villages.
They were then executed at a remote location, underscoring the brutality of the ADF’s operations.
The ADF, originally Ugandan rebels, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019.
They have been implicated in numerous massacres in both DRC and neighboring Uganda.
Since late 2021, joint operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies have aimed to counter the ADF.
Despite these efforts, the rebels continue to target civilians, raising concerns that military actions may only be displacing the insurgents to more secluded areas.
The latest attack has intensified calls for renewed efforts to address the persistent threat posed by the ADF and protect vulnerable communities in the region.
