Militants affiliated with Islamic State group responsible for killing dozens in eastern Congo
- Militants linked to the Islamic State group carried out a deadly attack in several villages in eastern North Kivu province.
- At least 41 people were killed in the violent assault using guns and machetes.
- The government of Congo has attributed the killings to rebel fighters associated with ISIL.
Militants allied with the Islamic State group in eastern Congo have killed at least 41 people in several villages in North Kivu province. The attacks were carried out by Allied Democratic Forces militants in the villages of Masala, Mahihi, and Keme. Local civil society members believe the true toll was higher, with as many as 80 killed. The militants are expanding their operations, drawn in by local mines. The lack of state authority in the area has left the population vulnerable, with no police, soldiers, or national intelligence agency present. Residents have been calling on the Congolese army to protect them, as armed violence has plagued eastern Congo for decades. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo is set to complete its withdrawal by the end of 2024, as the government aims to pursue the militants responsible for the recent attacks. The ADF, affiliated with ISIL, has been behind multiple deadly assaults in the region, further destabilizing an area already rife with armed groups. Despite joint operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies against the ADF, the attacks on civilians have continued, displacing millions of people in the eastern provinces.