A horrific assault attributed to the Islamic State affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces, has left numerous worshippers dead in DR Congo. Local officials report about 20 fatalities among churchgoers during a night vigil, with looting also impacting the community.
Deadly Attack on Churchgoers in Democratic Republic of Congo Linked to IS Affiliation
Deadly Attack on Churchgoers in Democratic Republic of Congo Linked to IS Affiliation
Dozens killed in a night vigil attack by the Allied Democratic Forces in Komanda, sparking fears of escalating violence in the region.
Dozens of individuals were tragically killed in an attack by an affiliate of the Islamic State in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials. The incident took place when worshippers gathered for a night vigil at a church in Komanda, where approximately 20 victims were shot by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters. Following the attack, nearby shops and businesses were looted and set ablaze.
Originally founded in Uganda during the 1990s, the ADF rose in response to government actions against Muslims but has now established a stronghold in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This group has been known to target civilians of all faiths, and its alignment with the Islamic State's Central African Province has intensified its operations, particularly across Africa. Reports indicate that nearly 90% of Islamic State's activities are now performed by affiliates based in Africa.
According to Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society leader in Komanda, the death toll could rise as search efforts continue. “More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside [the church], and we have recorded at least three charred bodies, with several houses burned.” Local priest Father Aime Lokana Dhego reported that at least 31 members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement were confirmed dead, in addition to six seriously injured and missing young people believed to have been abducted.
The UN-sponsored Radio Okapi estimates the death count at 43, while the army has so far confirmed 10 fatalities. Since 2021, DR Congo’s government has invited Ugandan troops to assist in combating the ADF, although violence persists unabated. Komanda lies in the mineral-rich Ituri province, which has seen continuous strife involving various armed factions for years.
