ADF Rebels Kill 21 in Deadly Attacks on Villages in Eastern Congo

At least 21 people were killed in an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Lubero territory, North Kivu, eastern DRC. Three villages—Boti, Isigo, and Mambimbi—were targeted, with homes burned and several people missing. The violence caused mass displacement, disrupted daily life, and comes amid ongoing regional instability, with the ADF linked to Daesh and joint Ugandan-Congolese operations ongoing against them.

At least 21 people have lost their lives in the latest attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an official confirmed on Monday. The assault occurred on Friday in Lubero territory, specifically targeting the residential Bapakombe grouping in North Kivu province, a region that has repeatedly experienced violence over the past several years. According to Boniface Kanyamulamba, head of the Bapakombe group, the death toll has risen from the 14 initially reported after additional bodies were recovered on Sunday, underscoring the devastating impact of the attack on local communities.
Kanyamulamba explained that three villages—Boti, Isigo, and Mambimbi—were simultaneously targeted during the coordinated attack. In addition to the loss of life, the rebels set fire to numerous homes, leaving many families homeless. Several residents remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the number of casualties could rise further as authorities and local volunteers continue recovery efforts. The attacks have sent shockwaves through the local population, who are still grappling with the trauma and destruction left in the wake of the violence.
Local media reports indicate that the surge in rebel activity has triggered large-scale displacement, as residents fled their homes in search of safer areas, with many moving toward Kambau town, which is considered a relatively secure location. The escalating insecurity has severely disrupted daily life across multiple localities in Lubero territory, interrupting schooling for children, halting commercial activities, and affecting other essential community functions. The psychological and social impact of these attacks is likely to be long-lasting, with families facing not only immediate physical danger but also the longer-term challenges of rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of destruction.
This latest wave of violence comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. In 2025, the country faced an unprecedented combination of challenges, including ongoing armed conflict, mass displacement, climate-related shocks, and recurring epidemics, according to the United Nations. Eastern Congo remains one of the most volatile regions in the country, with more than 60 civilians reported killed since the beginning of 2026 in the Beni and Lubero areas alone, as documented by civil society organizations. The persistence of armed groups like the ADF continues to threaten both the safety of civilians and the stability of the region.
Since 2021, Ugandan and Congolese forces have carried out joint military operations against the ADF in an effort to curb the group’s activities. The ADF, which has been active in eastern Congo for many years, pledged allegiance to Daesh in 2019, further raising international concern over its capacity for coordinated and ideologically motivated attacks. The group’s continued assaults have reinforced the need for sustained security interventions, humanitarian support, and regional cooperation to protect civilians and restore stability in this conflict-prone area. Local authorities, international organizations, and humanitarian agencies are closely monitoring the situation, but the combination of difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and ongoing rebel activity continues to pose significant challenges to effective response efforts.
The attack in Lubero is a stark reminder of the fragility of security in eastern Congo and the ongoing risks faced by local populations, many of whom live in isolated communities that are particularly vulnerable to sudden and violent attacks. Efforts to provide medical care, emergency shelter, and other essential services to those affected are critical in mitigating the human cost of these recurrent attacks and in helping communities recover from repeated episodes of violence and displacement.