Islamic State–linked rebels have killed 89 civilians in a series of brutal attacks across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lubero territory, the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO confirmed on Friday.
The coordinated assaults, carried out by fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), took place across several localities in North Kivu province between November 13 and November 19. MONUSCO said the fatalities include at least 20 women and an as-yet-undetermined number of children, underscoring the scale of the violence.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred in Byambwe, where ADF militants stormed a Catholic Church–run health centre. According to MONUSCO, the rebels killed at least 17 people, including women who had come to receive maternity services. The attackers then set fire to four patient wards, burning parts of the facility and endangering those inside.
The ADF, originally a Ugandan militant group, has intensified its attacks in eastern Congo despite ongoing military operations. The group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State several years ago and has since been responsible for repeated massacres targeting civilians.
MONUSCO condemned the killings and called for heightened protection measures for vulnerable communities in North Kivu, where violence continues to displace thousands and strain humanitarian resources.
The latest attacks highlight the worsening security crisis in eastern DR Congo, where armed groups have operated with impunity for decades amid a complex mix of political, ethnic, and regional tensions.
