Deadly assault on funeral service in eastern Congo claimed lives of around 60 individuals, perpetrated by rebels

In the early hours of the morning, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State group, carried out a devastating attack in the town of Ntoyo, located in the Lubero territory of North Kivu. The attack took place at a burial gathering, resulting in at least 60 deaths, according to local reports.

The attack was reported by Col. Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator of the Lubero territory. A survivor of the attack described seeing around 10 attackers with machetes and hearing people screaming before fainting.

The ongoing conflicts in the eastern region of Congo, including the ADF attacks and the M23 conflict, continue to worsen the plight of Congolese civilians. The ADF operates in the border region between Congo and Uganda and has been taking advantage of the security vacuum in the region, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

The ADF's attacks in Ituri province are among the recent escalations of violence in the region. In July, the group carried out two large-scale attacks in Komanda and Irumu, killing at least 34 and 66 people respectively. A second attack by the ADF was reported in Beni territory in North Kivu, resulting in at least 18 deaths.

The region where the attack occurred is experiencing complex conflicts, including an increase in attacks by the ADF. The government is battling multiple armed groups across different fronts, which has taken troops away from border villages, especially to combat the M23. This has left border villages vulnerable to attacks, as the government's efforts to combat multiple armed groups have not been able to fully secure the region.

Despite joint operations by Congo and Uganda, the ADF rebel group has continued to attack civilians. Many bodies from the second attack continue to be received in Oicha, with villagers being called to identify the bodies. The final death toll from the attack in Ntoyo is not yet known due to ongoing efforts to count the number of beheaded people.

The security situation in the eastern region of Congo remains uncertain and unstable, with the ongoing conflicts posing a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of the Congolese people. The available search results do not provide information on the current commander of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) or their plans regarding the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Deadly assault on funeral service in eastern Congo claimed lives of around 60 individuals, perpetrated by rebels