KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The death toll from two recent attacks on civilians in eastern Congo, attributed to an Islamic State-affiliated rebel group known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has risen to 89, according to Congolese authorities.

Late Tuesday, officials reported that 71 individuals were killed during a funeral in the Nyoto area on Monday, while a separate attack in Beni on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of an additional 18 people. Both incidents occurred in the North Kivu region, an area that has long been plagued by violence and instability.

The ADF, which has been responsible for multiple mass assaults on civilian populations in the region, has intensified its activities in recent weeks. This group operates in the border region between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019. The escalation of attacks has led to joint military operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armed forces aimed at curbing the insurgency.

In a statement, the DRC government expressed its commitment to managing the humanitarian fallout from these terrorist attacks, asserting that it is focused on ongoing military operations. The government indicated that these efforts have already resulted in the neutralization of numerous combatants, the destruction of several ADF bases, and the release of civilian hostages.

Onesphore Sematumba, an analyst at Crisis Group International, provided insight into the military campaign against the ADF. He noted that while operational efforts have disrupted the group, they have yet to eliminate the threat completely. Instead of being eradicated, the ADF has reportedly scattered its forces, with smaller units continuing to launch attacks within communities and in forested areas.

Sematumba elaborated on the complexities of the situation, likening the military response to "kicking the anthill," which disperses the group but simultaneously provokes a more violent reaction. The survivors have become increasingly vengeful, often acting in small, lethal factions that prey on vulnerable communities.

The situation in North Kivu underscores the broader challenges faced by the DRC in combatting armed groups that exploit instability and take advantage of local grievances. As military operations continue, the government's ability to restore security and provide humanitarian assistance remains under scrutiny, as civilians bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict.