Militants linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 15 people in overnight raids on villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials reported on Friday. The attacks, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted civilians in three separate locations within the Lubero territory, continuing a grim pattern of violence in the restive region.

Why It Matters

The persistent attacks by the ADF underscore the severe and ongoing security crisis in eastern Congo, where multiple armed groups operate with impunity. This violence occurs independently of the major conflict between Congolese forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, highlighting the complex web of instability that plagues the area and results in continuous civilian casualties and displacement.

What to Know

• The Attacks: The assaults occurred on Thursday night in the villages of Kilonge, Katanga, and Maendeleo within the Bapere locality of North Kivu province.
• The Victims: Initial reports from local chief Macaire Sivikunula indicated nine civilians were killed in Kilonge, two in Katanga, and two civilians plus two soldiers in Maendeleo. Military administrator Alain Kiwewa later confirmed 16 deaths.
• The Perpetrators: The ADF, originally an insurgent group from Uganda, has been based in Congo since the 1990s and is recognized as an affiliate of Islamic State. They primarily used bladed weapons in these attacks.
• The Context: This is not an isolated incident. The United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) reported the ADF killed 89 civilians in one week last November, and the group claimed responsibility for an attack on a funeral that killed over 60 people in September.

What People Are Saying

• Macaire Sivikunula, chief of the Bapere locality, stated: “The ADF rebels killed most of the victims with bladed weapons,” adding that they exchanged gunfire with soldiers in Maendeleo. He also noted that funerals for the victims were delayed, fearing the ADF would “ambush civilians who try to organise this kind of activity.”
• Alain Kiwewa, Lubero’s military administrator, provided the updated death toll on Friday afternoon.
• Lieutenant Marc Elongo, an army spokesperson, said Congolese troops were “pursuing the enemy” in response to the attacks.
• Kakule Kagheni Samuel, a local civil society leader, reported that the militants also burned homes to the ground.

What Happens Next

Congolese military forces are actively pursuing the ADF militants responsible for the raids. The long-term challenge remains the entrenched nature of the ADF and its ability to evade joint military operations conducted by Congolese and Ugandan forces. The international community, including the UN mission, continues to monitor the situation, but a sustainable security solution for eastern Congo’s civilian population remains elusive.