At Least 36 Killed in ADF Attacks in Northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

At least 36 people have been killed in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in two days of attacks blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Security sources say 21 people were killed in village attacks along the Ituri–North Kivu border, while 15 others died in Biakato town in Ituri province. The ADF, a militant group active in eastern Congo, has long been accused of repeated massacres and violence against civilians in the region.

At least 36 people have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks over two days in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), according to local authorities and security sources speaking to AFP.
The attacks reportedly began on Tuesday and affected several isolated villages located along the border area between Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Security sources said at least 21 people were killed in those early assaults, where armed men stormed rural communities, targeting residents in remote settlements that are often difficult for security forces to access quickly.
In a separate incident, at least 15 additional people were killed in Biakato, a town in Ituri province. Local accounts indicate that the attackers moved through the area in violent raids, leaving behind destroyed property and terrified residents. Many villagers reportedly fled into surrounding forests to escape the violence as the attacks unfolded.
The Allied Democratic Forces, an armed group with origins linked to Uganda but now deeply entrenched in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been widely blamed for repeated atrocities in the region. The group has been accused over the years of carrying out massacres, kidnappings, and widespread looting, particularly in rural areas where government presence is limited.
Eastern Congo has remained one of the most volatile regions in Africa for decades. The area is rich in minerals such as gold and coltan, but this wealth has also contributed to prolonged conflict involving numerous armed groups, militias, and government forces competing for control. Civilians living in these areas are often caught in the crossfire and face repeated cycles of violence and displacement.
Security experts say the latest killings reflect the persistent insecurity in Ituri and North Kivu, where armed groups frequently exploit weak infrastructure, difficult terrain, and limited state control to launch attacks. Despite ongoing military operations and regional security efforts, the ADF and other armed factions continue to operate in pockets of the region.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of such violence on civilian populations, warning that repeated attacks are worsening displacement, food insecurity, and access to basic services. Many communities in the region remain vulnerable, with limited protection and slow emergency response times due to poor road access and ongoing conflict conditions.
Authorities say operations are continuing in an effort to track down the attackers and restore stability in affected areas, but the situation remains tense as residents remain on alert following the latest wave of killings.