Massacre deepens tragedy in eastern Congo… 19 killed in ISIS-linked attack

A fresh bloodshed has further exacerbated the tragedy in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities announced Monday evening. The attack left at least 19 people dead.

The assault was carried out by rebels from the “Allied Democratic Forces,” a terrorist group pledged to ISIS, who targeted the village of Mukondo in Lubero territory, in the northeast of the country.

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Mass beheadings and mass displacement

Colonel Alain Kiviswa, the region’s military administrator, told AFP that the attackers “slaughtered 19 people” and set fire to homes and shops, sparking a massive flight of residents fearing further attacks.

The head of the local civil society, Kambale Mabuku, confirmed that the initial toll included 16 civilians and one soldier, noting that the attackers abducted several residents during the raid.

Mabuku added that authorities had received prior warnings of a potential terrorist attack but “took no serious measures.” He said: “There were alerts, but they were ignored, and this is the outcome—a very heavy toll.”

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Ongoing violence for three decades

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has endured violence and chaos for more than three decades, with dozens of armed groups and rival militias driven by ethnic, political, and economic motives.

Meanwhile, the M23 rebel movement, backed by Rwanda, continues to hold large swathes of territory in North and South Kivu since the start of this year, despite a peace agreement signed between Kinshasa and Kigali in late June.

Further north, the “Allied Democratic Forces” continue their recurring massacres against civilians, especially in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where over 180 civilians have been killed since last July, according to AFP figures.

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