DRC civilian attacks: 34 killed in 3 days in Ituri, North Kivu, UN warns
A new wave of deadly attacks against civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has raised serious alarm, with at least 34 civilians reportedly killed in just three days across Ituri and North Kivu provinces, according to the United Nations. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, cited figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in a statement on Friday, 9 May.
Key Developments in Ituri and North Kivu
In Ituri's Irumu and Mambasa territories, attacks between Tuesday and Thursday reportedly killed at least 15 civilians, forcing survivors to flee to neighbouring villages in North Kivu province. Separately, in North Kivu's Oicha — near the border with Ituri — an armed group attack on Tuesday and Wednesday reportedly claimed at least 19 more civilian lives.
Local partners reported that several of the victims were attacked while working in their fields. An unspecified number of people remain missing, Haq noted.
Escalating Crisis in Mambasa
The situation in Mambasa, a gold-rich territory in Ituri, has been deteriorating for weeks. Since mid-March, at least 130 civilians have reportedly been killed and more than 500 others abducted in the area. The sustained violence has displaced over 68,000 people within Mambasa and into the neighbouring Tshopo province.
The crisis extends beyond Ituri. More than 310,000 people have also been displaced across Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu province, according to Haq, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian emergency gripping the region.
What the UN Said
Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said humanitarian partners are currently assessing displacement figures and urgent needs on the ground. In his statement, Haq said:
