At Least 35 Killed in Islamic State-Linked Church Attack in Eastern DR Congo

At least 35 people were killed during a brutal attack on a Catholic church in Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked rebel group. The assault occurred during a night vigil, with victims killed by gunfire and machetes, and multiple buildings including shops set ablaze. Local officials and civil society leaders condemned the violence and called for urgent military intervention, noting that some victims were abducted and remain missing. Estimates of fatalities vary, with reports ranging from 31 to 43 dead, and several injured, while security forces have struggled to contain the ADF despite joint military operations involving Ugandan and Congolese troops. The ADF, which originated in Uganda in the 1990s, now operates primarily in eastern Congo and continues to pose a significant threat to civilians and regional stability. Komanda’s strategic location in Ituri province, a mineral-rich and conflict-prone area, makes it a frequent target for armed groups vying for control.