At least 20 people have been killed in a series of attacks by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as insecurity continues to worsen in North Kivu Province. According to reports, the attacks occurred between July 12 and July 15 in Beni Territory, where the Islamic State-affiliated armed group has intensified assaults on civilians and security forces. The first attack took place on Sunday in an area west of the city of Beni, which has served as the provincial administrative capital since Goma fell to the M23 rebel group last year. Seven civilians were killed, while three soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) were reportedly ambushed.
In the early hours of Tuesday, suspected ADF fighters launched another attack on the town of Mangina, near the border with Ituri Province, killing four civilians. A separate assault on Mangina on Thursday claimed the lives of at least 10 more people, bringing the death toll from the three attacks to at least 20. The violence has forced many residents to flee to Beni town, which has so far avoided direct attacks despite the deteriorating security situation in surrounding areas.
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda before establishing bases in eastern DR Congo, has waged a violent insurgency in North Kivu and Ituri for years. The group has been accused of carrying out massacres, abductions, forced labor, recruiting child soldiers, forced marriages and sexual violence against civilians. In a recent report, Amnesty International accused the ADF of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, calling for greater protection of civilians and accountability for those responsible. The latest attacks underscore the persistent security challenges facing eastern DR Congo, where multiple armed groups continue to operate despite ongoing military operations by Congolese forces and regional partners.
