At least 77 civilians killed in suspected ADF attacks in eastern DR Congo

At least 77 civilians were killed in September in a series of attacks attributed to suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Mambasa territory, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Saturday. Anadolu Agency reported the figures.

The most affected areas were Biakato, Bandisende and the outskirts of Mambasa centre. Civilians were killed with knives and firearms, OCHA said in a report.

The suspected rebels also kidnapped several people and set fire to residential houses as they fled.

Civil society groups and local media say several parts of Mambasa territory continue to face insecurity, including attacks on civilians and displacement.

Local media reported that at least 10 civilians were killed this week in an attack attributed to ADF fighters on several mining sites in the Babila-Babombi chiefdom, in Mambasa territory.

The attacks have worsened humanitarian needs in a province already severely affected by the Ebola epidemic.

The ADF is affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) militant organization and has been active in eastern Congo for several years.