Fresh attacks attributed to an armed group affiliated with ISIS have killed at least 10 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising concerns that worsening insecurity could undermine efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak in the region.
Civil society organisations in Ituri province reported a series of incursions by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters across Mambasa territory this week, targeting mining settlements and a health facility.
According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), the attacks occurred between Wednesday and Friday in the Babila Babombi area, where health authorities are struggling to contain the spread of Ebola.
Local monitoring groups reported that at least 10 civilians were killed and several others abducted during raids on mining sites, although the full extent of the casualties remains unclear.
Separate reports from Congolese media identified the affected mining locations as Makimbilio, Biasiko and Makamanda, with suspected militants subsequently moving towards Mangadi.
The renewed violence follows reports that ADF fighters have begun imposing an illegal taxation system on residents, requiring them to obtain tokens or permits to access farmland and gold mining sites.
A local source quoted by RFI described the arrangement as a form of extortion, forcing civilians to pay armed groups for access to their livelihoods.
The escalation has heightened concerns among humanitarian workers and local officials, who warn that continued attacks could prevent medical teams from reaching communities affected by Ebola.
Mambasa, particularly the Babila Babombi area, has been identified as a location of ongoing Ebola transmission, making uninterrupted access for health workers essential to containing the outbreak.
Civil society representatives warned that deteriorating security conditions could delay the deployment of response teams, disrupt disease surveillance and complicate efforts to identify and isolate infections.
The violence adds to longstanding security challenges in eastern Congo, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted civilians and disrupted humanitarian operations.
The ADF, originally formed in neighbouring Uganda, has operated in eastern Congo for decades and is affiliated with ISIS. The group has been blamed for numerous attacks on villages, mining communities and civilian infrastructure.
Local organisations are calling for stronger security measures to protect residents and ensure that medical personnel can continue responding to the outbreak.
