North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo – At least 43 people have been killed following a brutal overnight raid by militants linked to the Islamic State in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials confirmed on Thursday.
The attackers, identified as fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted Bafwakoa village late Wednesday, setting homes ablaze and killing residents as they attempted to flee.
“They set fire to houses in the village,” said Samuel Banapia, a local civil society leader.
Rising Death Toll and Missing Civilians
While the Congolese army confirmed 43 deaths, local authorities warned the toll could rise significantly. Reports indicate that at least 56 people may have been killed, with several others missing and two villagers believed to have been abducted.
“The situation remains unclear, and we fear more victims may be discovered,” a local official said.
Military officials say the ADF continues to target civilians as a strategy to undermine ongoing operations against the group.
“The ADF avoids direct combat with the army… that’s why they attack the population, as a way of sabotaging peace efforts,” said Lt. Jules Ngongo, an army spokesperson.
A Persistent and Evolving Threat
The ADF, originally formed in Uganda in the late 1990s, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019 and has since entrenched itself in eastern Congo. The group is known for carrying out frequent attacks in remote areas near the Ugandan border, as well as in regions stretching toward Goma and Ituri.
“These attacks are designed to spread fear and destabilize already fragile communities,” a regional security analyst noted.
Ongoing Conflict in Eastern Congo
The latest massacre highlights the deepening security crisis in eastern DR Congo, where the military faces multiple armed groups. Among them is the M23 rebel group, which captured several major towns last year, further complicating the region’s stability.
Despite joint military operations involving regional forces, ADF attacks have intensified. In 2025 alone, militants killed at least 66 people in a nearby district and abducted several others, underscoring the persistent insecurity in the mineral-rich region.
“The cycle of violence continues to devastate communities and hinder any meaningful progress toward peace,” an observer said.
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
The repeated attacks have displaced thousands of civilians and strained humanitarian resources, as communities struggle to cope with ongoing violence and insecurity.
“Civilians remain the primary victims of this conflict,” a humanitarian worker said.
As the Congolese army continues its operations, the latest attack serves as a stark reminder of the enduring threat posed by armed groups in eastern Congo and the urgent need for a sustainable security solution.
