Death toll from ADF attack in DR Congo rises to 33

The death toll from an overnight attack by suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 33, authorities said on Friday.

The attack on several villages occurred overnight Thursday in Beni territory, North Kivu province.

Beni territorial administrator Charles Omeonga said the rebels attacked villages simultaneously at around 11 pm local time (0400GMT Friday), killing people with machetes and firearms.

They targeted the Lubumbashi, Kananga and Yambi-Yaya districts.

The attackers also burned houses and businesses as they fled toward the forest, forcing residents to flee their homes to seek refuge in safer nearby localities.

About 60 houses and businesses were reported burned, as well as motorcycles.

Local media said that after deploying reinforcements to the area, the army launched operations to pursue the attackers.

The attack occurred after the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, met North Kivu provincial leaders to discuss the region's security situation.

Swan, who reaffirmed MONUSCO’s commitment to supporting the Congolese authorities in their efforts to restore peace and security, said “the protection of civilians remains our priority.”

Ugandan and Congolese forces have been conducting joint operations against the ADF rebels since 2021.

The group, which has been active in eastern Congo for years, is affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terror group.