1674617484 Islamic State claims responsibility for an attack that killed 23

Islamic State claims responsibility for an attack that killed 23 civilians in eastern DRC

The attack took place in the Beni area of ​​North Kivu province. The attack took place in the Beni area of ​​North Kivu province.

At least 23 villagers were killed on the night of Sunday January 22 to Monday January 23 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in an attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Islamic State was claimed (IS) group. The jihadist group, which represents the ADF as its Central African branch, released a statement on Telegram saying that members of IS had attacked the village of Makugwe in Beni Territory in North Kivu.

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“Twenty-four people, including six women, were killed in this attack by the ADF,” Roger Wangeve, president of local civil society, told AFP previously. An army spokesman in the region also put the death toll at 24 dead and 10 missing. Provincial MP Saidi Balikwisha, who was in the village, spoke of a record of “23 people killed”. This elected official advocated an increase in “well-endowed, well-equipped and well-treated military personnel” in hopes of “anticipating enemy attacks.”

According to Roger Wangeve, among the victims are 17 people who “were in a small bar where they drank beer”. The ADF “executed them all,” he said. At least seven homes were set on fire, three pharmacies and 11 shops were looted, while the number “of civilians who were taken to the bush is not yet known,” Mr Wangeve added: “We regret and wonder: how is this.” possible? killing the population a few meters from the military camp? »

Bomb attack in a church

Questioned by AFP, Colonel Charles Omeonga, administrator of the territory of Beni, stated that the armed forces are “pursuing the enemy” who he says is “hiding among the population”.

The ADF, Muslim rebels of Ugandan origin, are active in northern North Kivu and southern neighboring Ituri province. They are considered one of the deadliest armed groups in eastern DRC. Their last major action dates back to January 15, when a bomb attack on a Pentecostal church killed at least 14 people and wounded 63 others. IS claimed this attack.

Also Read: Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ten Dead and Nearly Forty Wounded in an Attack on a Pentecostal Church

In a so far unsuccessful attempt to halt the violence, North Kivu and Ituri were placed under a “state of siege” by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in May 2021, an extraordinary measure that replaced civilian administrators with police and military officials. Since late 2021, a joint Congolese-Uganda military operation has also begun targeting the ADF in Congolese territory. But the attacks continued.

The world with AFP