In brief
Nightly gunfire in Cantine, Beni territory, left over 30 people dead, including civilians and security staff, according to Congolese sources. The assault, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces, has revived concerns about the group's growing violence in North Kivu and Ituri and has spurred ongoing search operations as reports of kidnapped hostages circulate. Statements about the death toll vary between sources, and many details remain uncertain.
At least 30 people were killed overnight in Cantine, a locality in Beni territory of North Kivu Province, when armed assailants attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) struck civilians, security personnel and civil society members, Congolese security sources said on Friday.
The attack, which took place during the night from Thursday into Friday, involved shooting and the burning of several houses. Reports indicate that the rebels forced residents to flee and that several hostages were seized as they withdrew from the area.
Security officials in Beni said reinforcements were deployed to the town and that operations to pursue the attackers were underway. Search teams are also looking for further victims, with bodies found in nearby buildings, and are attempting to locate people taken hostage during the assault.
Available information places the incident in Cantine, a community within Beni territory, where the clash struck at homes and offices. The assault is part of a recent surge of violence that has been attributed to the ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State that operates in eastern Congo.
The ADF has intensified attacks across North Kivu and Ituri in recent months, hitting civilian targets in several localities. Its continued activity has prompted joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces, which began in November 2021 and have sought to track and neutralize the group.
While Xinhua reports a death toll of at least 30, a different article from News.az lists the total as 24, citing an earlier estimate that had risen to 24 before the latest figures were published. The sources differ on the exact figure but agree that the attack resulted in a significant loss of life.
Both outlets confirm that hostages were taken during the attack, though no official confirmation about their current status has yet been released. The identity of the hostage victims and the terms of any potential release remain unclear.
Aftermath and Military Response
The Congolese army has reportedly increased patrols in the surrounding areas of Beni after the incident, while the Ugandan contingent has been engaged in cross-border operations aimed at curbing the group's influence. Troops are conducting searches for any remaining rebels and are trying to secure the perimeters of nearby towns.
Security officials have called for greater cooperation between the DRC and Uganda in addressing the threat posed by the ADF, emphasizing the importance of coordinated intelligence sharing to prevent future assaults.
Additional investigative efforts are underway by regional journalists and human rights groups, who are collecting testimonies from survivors and residents in order to document the scope of the violence.
Uncertainties remain regarding the exact number of casualties, the total number of hostages taken, the identities of the hostage victims, and the precise tactics and targets of the ADF group in this assault. These issues have been noted by both Xinhua and News.az, and the figures continue to be updated as further information emerges.
