KINSHASA, Congo (AP) – A violent attack attributed to an Islamic State-affiliated group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has resulted in the deaths of at least 40 individuals in villages close to the border with Uganda. Reports indicate that the group conducted assaults overnight from Wednesday through Thursday afternoon, targeting civilians and destroying properties. This information was shared by local civil society representatives, including Charité Banza and Kinos Katua, who are associated with an Ituri civil society group.

The Allied Democratic Forces, with origins in Uganda, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019 and has been known for its ruthless operations in the border regions of Congo. In the recent violence, Banza reported that 25 victims were found in the Beni territory of North Kivu, while an additional 15 were killed in Ituri province. The death toll is expected to increase, as several residents remain unaccounted for following the attacks, according to Katua.

In a recent report, Amnesty International has condemned the ADF for committing “war crimes and crimes against humanity," reflecting the group's ongoing pattern of violence against civilians. The ADF is among various armed factions active in Congo, which frequently conduct assaults on local populations. Notably, in July 2025, the group was implicated in a massacre that claimed the lives of 66 individuals in eastern Congo, an event labeled a “bloodbath” by the United Nations.

Congo faces a complex security crisis, with approximately 100 other rebel groups actively operating within its borders. Among these, the M23 rebel group, which has received backing from Rwanda, stands out for its significant control over key cities in the eastern region. The pervasive instability and violence from these various factions, including the ADF, continue to threaten the safety and well-being of civilians across the affected areas.