Allied Democratic Forces Linked to IS Claim 23 Lives in Eastern Congo, Dozens Abducted: UN

Synopsis

Recent attacks by the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces in eastern DRC have resulted in the deaths of 23 civilians and numerous kidnappings. The situation remains dire, with many fleeing to neighboring areas for safety as humanitarian efforts continue amidst ongoing violence.

Key Takeaways

23 civilians killed in ADF attacks.
Dozens kidnapped during raids.
125,000 displaced in South Kivu.
Ongoing clashes hinder humanitarian access.
UNHCR increases support for fleeing civilians.

United Nations, March 1 (NationPress) - Assaults by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which are connected to the Islamic State (IS), in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have resulted in the deaths of at least 23 civilians, according to reports from UN humanitarian agencies.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), referencing local officials, indicated that this tragic surge in violence transpired across various villages in Ituri Province on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Numerous individuals were also abducted during the assaults, while other residents fled to surrounding areas seeking refuge,” OCHA stated. “Additional ADF strikes were reported in Beni Territory of North Kivu Province on Wednesday, claiming the lives of 17 more civilians.”

The ADF, a group affiliated with the Islamic State in Central Africa, is a Ugandan rebel faction that operates within the forests of eastern DRC, notorious for wreaking havoc in local communities.

In South Kivu Province, instability remains a grave concern, especially in the provincial capital, Bukavu, where local health sources report that explosions on Thursday during an M23 rally led to at least 11 fatalities and numerous injuries in the city center.

OCHA noted that its partners momentarily halted the evaluation of humanitarian needs in the affected region following the blasts, but assessments have now resumed.

“Local officials in South Kivu estimate that over 125,000 individuals have been displaced since early February due to conflicts in the southeastern area of Bukavu,” said humanitarian representatives.

“A significant portion of these displaced persons have sought refuge in schools, churches, and soccer fields, with ongoing clashes obstructing humanitarian access.

“Our colleagues from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) report that the number of Congolese civilians fleeing the violence is on the rise,” stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as reported by Xinhua.

“In merely two weeks, 60,000 men, women, and children have fled the DRC into Burundi, some covering hundreds of kilometers in a desperate bid for safety.”

Dujarric informed reporters during a regular briefing that UNHCR and its partners are intensifying their support, establishing tents, distributing food, and providing water to newcomers. Relief supplies such as sleeping mats, buckets, and soap are also being given out.