ISIS-Backed Rebels Kill 35+ in Congo Church Attack

A brutal overnight attack by the Islamist rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), affiliated with the Islamic State, on a Catholic church in Komanda, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, resulted in the deaths of at least 35 to 38 people. The militants stormed the church during a night mass, using guns and machetes, killing worshippers, torching homes and shops, and abducting several young men. This attack ended months of relative calm in a region long plagued by jihadist violence and highlighted the fragile security situation despite ongoing joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the violence and expressed condolences to the victims' families, emphasizing solidarity with the Congolese government and people. The attack has sparked international concern about the effectiveness of security measures in vulnerable areas, particularly around religious communities. Civilians are fleeing the area to nearby towns like Bunia, fearing further violence.