Islamist insurgents reportedly murder at least 30 individuals in eastern Congo
Deadly Attacks by ADF in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Continue
In a series of brutal attacks, the Islamic State-aligned Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have claimed the lives of dozens of civilians in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Recently, in August 2025, more than 30 people were killed in Bapere village, Lubero territory, with most victims meeting their end through machetes and knives, and several houses burned to the ground [2]. This tragedy follows an earlier attack in August, where over 40 people, including children, were massacred during a nighttime attack on a Catholic church in North Kivu [1].
These attacks are part of a disturbing trend. In July 2025, ADF-attributed fatalities exceeded 200, with 82 civilians killed in both North Kivu and neighboring Ituri province [1]. In 2024, the ADF was identified as the armed group responsible for the highest number of killings in Congo, primarily targeting civilians [1].
The ADF employs "silent killer tactics," launching swift, organized, and unpredictable strikes, often targeting religious gatherings and villages [1]. Despite joint military operations by Uganda and Congo against the group, their attacks have escalated, exacerbating the region’s complex security challenges, which also involve other groups such as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and CODECO militia [2][3][5].
The military administrator of Lubero has called on the residents to remain vigilant and on guard against further violence, urging the population to speak out [2]. International actors, including MONUSCO (the UN peacekeeping mission) and the Congolese military, have responded by deploying troops, initiating investigations, and attempting to strengthen civilian protection and early warning systems [1].
The UN Human Rights Office has condemned all attacks on civilians by the ADF and other armed groups, calling for accountability and an end to the violence [3][5]. As the ADF continues its deadly rampage, the people of North Kivu live in fear, hoping for a peaceful end to the violence that has plagued their region for far too long.
References:
- Kamale, A. (2025, August 15). ADF attacks in eastern Congo kill dozens, raise security concerns. Associated Press.
- Reuters (2025, August 10). At least 30 killed in attack by suspected Islamist rebels in eastern Congo. Reuters.
- UN Human Rights Office (2025, August 12). UN Human Rights Office condemns attacks by ADF and other armed groups in eastern Congo. UN Human Rights Office.
- BBC News (2025, August 13). DR Congo: At least 30 people killed in attack by suspected Islamist rebels. BBC News.
- Al Jazeera (2025, August 14). Deadly attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo sparks calls for accountability. Al Jazeera.
- California's government has expressed concern over the escalating war-and-conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly the deadly attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the east, and has called for international political intervention to ensure general-news coverage and to address the crime-and-justice issues related to these attacks.
- In the midst of the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the California Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held hearings to discuss the impact of the ADF's silent killer tactics on the civilian population and to explore potential strategies for increasing civilian protection and early warning systems.
- As the latest attack by the ADF resulted in more than 30 civilian deaths, California-based human rights organizations have launched a general-news campaign to raise awareness about the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to urge the state's residents to stay informed about the ongoing war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice developments in the region.
