The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a brutal overnight attack on a Catholic church in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that left at least 40 people dead and forced thousands to flee. The assault occurred around midnight on Sunday in Komanda, a town in Ituri province, during an overnight prayer service at a church affiliated with the Catholic charity Caritas. Armed assailants linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a militant group aligned with ISIS—stormed the church and opened fire, also using machetes. They then set nearby homes and shops ablaze, according to local officials. In a statement issued via its Telegram channel on Monday, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.
The violence has devastated the local population. Over half of Komanda’s residents have reportedly fled, seeking refuge in surrounding areas including Kisangani and Bunia. The districts of Base, Zunguluka, Umoja, and Ngombenyama have been nearly emptied, with many residents making the journey on foot, by motorbike, or in overloaded taxis. Joint military patrols from the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and Uganda’s People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been deployed to stabilize the area. Their presence offers limited reassurance, but fear remains high. Economic activity in Komanda has ground to a halt—markets, pharmacies, churches, and schools are shuttered, and farmers cannot access their fields.
Meanwhile, Bunia, the provincial capital, is now facing an unprecedented humanitarian strain. The town is already overwhelmed by the arrival of more than 20,000 displaced people from Djugu territory, where ongoing military operations have targeted other active armed groups. The newly displaced in Bunia—mainly from Nizi, Lopa, and Centrale Solenyama—are arriving in desperate conditions. “The shelters are overcrowded, toilets are blocked, there’s barely any food or medical care,” said Olivier Karba, spokesperson for the Association of Displaced Persons and Victims of the Wars in Ituri. “People are sleeping in the bush due to a lack of space and fear of further attacks.”
Bunia officials say more than 2,400 people are staying with host families, who themselves are running out of food and water. Aid agencies warn of the rising risk of epidemics due to inadequate sanitation and water supplies. Local authorities and humanitarian groups are appealing urgently to the Congolese government and international partners for immediate assistance. “If there’s no quick response, the humanitarian crisis could escalate beyond control,” Karba warned.
