Extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 13 people and kidnapped several others in a violent attack in eastern Congo on Friday, local authorities confirmed Saturday.
The assault took place in Mabisio village, located in North Kivu province, where rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) targeted civilians.
Col. Alain Kiwewa, the region’s administrator, reported on state television that the attack also involved the burning and looting of homes.
Among the dead were women, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
The ADF has been active in the region for years, but recent attacks have grown more brutal and widespread, raising concerns about further instability.
Eastern Congo remains a hotspot of armed conflict, with over 120 militia groups vying for control over power, land, and valuable mineral resources.
Many of these groups have been implicated in mass killings and other forms of violence.
In recent months, ADF attacks have spread closer to Goma, the region’s major city, and across the neighboring Ituri province.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have condemned the ADF’s actions, noting that they have killed hundreds and abducted even more, including children.
This latest attack underscores the ongoing crisis, as civilians continue to face threats from these extremist rebels in a region plagued by decades of unrest.
