ADF Rebels Kill Over 35 in Eastern Congo Church Attack

At least 38 people were killed in a deadly attack on a Catholic church in Komanda, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State. The attack occurred during a night mass, with militants armed with automatic rifles and machetes storming the church and shooting worshippers both inside and outside, also setting several houses and shops on fire. Death toll estimates vary, with local officials, civil society coordinators, and UN-backed sources reporting between 34 and 43 fatalities, while the Congolese army confirmed at least 10 deaths. The attackers reportedly fled before security forces could arrive, and some victims' bodies remain at the scene, with preparations underway for mass burial. This attack follows a series of violent incidents in the region, highlighting the persistent threat posed by the ADF, which has intensified its activities and is responsible for numerous killings in Ituri province. International condemnation has been expressed, emphasizing the need to protect places of worship and maintain religious freedom amid ongoing regional instability.