The United Nations has released a statement revealing that over 300 civilians have fallen victim to attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the beginning of the year. These tragic incidents have primarily occurred in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.
In a particularly brutal incident, the rebel group launched a nighttime assault on Ngadi, a village situated close to the city of Beni in North Kivu, between May 30 and May 31. The assault resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians and one soldier, as confirmed by government officials.
Over a span of just three days, the ADF rebels intensified their violent campaign in the Beni region, claiming the lives of more than 40 civilians. Local media outlets have closely documented these relentless attacks, highlighting the escalating threat posed by the rebel group.
The ADF rebels have maintained a presence in eastern DRC since the mid-1990s, during which time they have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians. In 2019, the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which now recognizes them as its “Central Africa Province” and has claimed responsibility for several of their attacks.
