Armed Attacks in Eastern Congo Leave at Least 32 Civilians Dead
Xinhua News Agency, Kinshasa, July 25 (Reporter Shi Yu) According to reports from Congolese media on the 25th, two attacks allegedly launched by the Ugandan rebel group "Allied Democratic Forces" occurred in the Mambasa area of Ituri Province in eastern Congo (DRC) within the past 72 hours, resulting in at least 32 civilian deaths.
Congo (DRC) Okapi Radio cited local civil organization reports stating that the two attacks took place in several villages in the Mambasa area, and search efforts are still ongoing, with the number of casualties likely to rise.
The reports indicated that the attacks caused a large number of residents in the affected villages and surrounding areas to flee their homes. Local civil organizations also stated that since March of this year, the "Allied Democratic Forces" have caused over 100 deaths in about 20 villages in the Mambasa area.
As of the evening of the 25th, neither the local government of Congo (DRC) nor the Congolese military had made a formal response to the aforementioned attacks.
After being defeated by the Ugandan government in the late 1990s, the "Allied Democratic Forces" fled to eastern Congo (DRC) and have remained there ever since. In addition to conducting anti-Ugandan government activities, the "Allied Democratic Forces" frequently attack the Congolese military, civilians, and the United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed in Congo (DRC). In recent years, there have been signs of convergence between the "Allied Democratic Forces" and the extremist group "Islamic State," which views the former as a Central African branch and occasionally "claims" attacks carried out by the "Allied Democratic Forces" on social media.
The security situation in eastern Congo (DRC) is severe, with multiple local armed groups and foreign anti-government forces active in the area. The Congolese government has been implementing martial law in North Kivu Province and Ituri Province since the end of April 2021.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) conducted attacks in the Mambasa region of Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in at least 32 civilian deaths over the past 72 hours. The violence has led to significant displacement of local residents, with ongoing search efforts for additional victims. Since March, the ADF has reportedly killed over 100 people in the area, exacerbating the already dire security situation.
- At least 32 civilians killed in attacks by the ADF in Mambasa region.
- Two attacks occurred in multiple villages over the past 72 hours.
- The ADF has caused over 100 deaths in the Mambasa area since March.
- Local residents are fleeing their homes due to the violence.
- The DRC government and military have not officially responded to the attacks.