Islamic Militants Attack Congo Villages Near Uganda, Killing 40 People, Local Group Says

KINSHASA, Congo — An Islamic State-affiliated group attacked villages successful Congo adjacent nan separator pinch Uganda, sidesplitting astatine slightest 40 group and burning and looting homes, a section civilian nine group said Friday.

The attacks were carried retired by nan Allied Democratic Forces overnight from Wednesday done Thursday afternoon, according to Charité Banza, nan leader of nan Ituri civilian nine group and Kinos Katua, a personnel of nan group who lives successful nan area.

The Allied Democratic Forces, which has roots successful Uganda and which pledged allegiance to nan Islamic State group successful 2019, has agelong operated successful nan separator region.

Banza told nan Associated Press that 25 group were killed successful separator villages successful nan Beni territory of North Kivu while 15 others were killed successful Ituri province.

The decease toll whitethorn emergence because respective residents were still missing aft nan attacks, Katua said.

In a caller study this week, Amnesty International accused nan Allied Democratic Forces of “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

The ADF is 1 of nan galore groups operating successful Congo and it routinely attacks civilians. In July 2025, nan group killed 66 group successful eastbound Congo successful what nan United Nations called a “bloodbath.”

The state besides faces attacks from astir 100 different rebel groups, astir prominently nan Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has seized cardinal cities successful nan eastbound region.

Kamale writes for nan Associated Press.