At least a dozen civilians were killed and an unknown number kidnapped in a rebel attack on a rural community in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province, according to the Congolese army and local sources.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday, targeted a village near the border with Uganda.
Captain Anthony Mulushayi, spokesperson for the Congolese army, stated that the attackers, believed to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group with ties to ISIS, set fire to a local hospital before being engaged by the army.
Four attackers were killed, and four civilians were rescued.
Local leader Kakule Mwendapeke, however, disputed the official death toll, claiming at least 17 civilians were killed, including children under ten.
He added that another 15 villagers were abducted by the rebels, forcing survivors to flee to nearby towns.
This attack highlights the ongoing violence plaguing eastern Congo.
The region has been ravaged by conflict for decades, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of mineral resources and some engaged in local protection rackets.
Mass killings by rebel groups are a frequent occurrence, displacing millions.
The United Nations recently warned of escalating violence, with thousands of human rights abuses documented in 2024 alone.
