ADF Militants Kill 66 in Eastern Congo Civilian Attacks

Massacre in Eastern Congo

At least 66 civilians were killed overnight in coordinated attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The assaults occurred in Irumu region villages bordering Uganda, with victims brutally attacked with machetes and firearms. Survivors report severe mutilation of bodies and multiple abductions.

UN Confirms Atrocities

A UN mission spokesperson described the violence as a "bloodbath," revising the initial death toll from 31 to 66. The attacks appear retaliatory, coming days after joint Congolese-Ugandan military operations targeted ADF strongholds in the region.

ADF's Reign of Terror

The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group, has operated in eastern Congo since the late 1990s. After pledging allegiance to Islamic State in 2018, their attacks intensified dramatically. Human rights organizations document hundreds killed and countless abductions - particularly children - in recent years.

Regional Crisis Deepens

This massacre follows June's school attack in Uganda where 42 children died in ADF-orchestrated arson and machete killings. Despite ongoing military operations, the group continues exploiting Congo's mineral-rich but governance-poor eastern provinces where various militias operate.