Rebels affiliated with the Islamic State group launched an attack in eastern DR Congo, resulting in the killing of two Ugandan soldiers, two civilians, and one suspected assailant. The attackers, identified as members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted a car park in Kasindi, Beni territory. Among the casualties were two truck drivers, one Kenyan and one Congolese.
Kasindi had previously witnessed a bombing incident at a Pentecostal church in January, for which the ADF was blamed and IS claimed responsibility. The Ugandan and Congolese militaries had jointly launched an offensive against the ADF in 2021 to dislodge the militants from their strongholds in eastern DR Congo. Despite this, ADF attacks have persisted.
The ADF, originally composed of mainly Muslim Ugandan rebels, established a presence in the region during the 1990s and has been accused of carrying out numerous atrocities against civilians.
During the recent attack in Kasindi, two Ugandan soldiers lost their lives, and three vehicles were set ablaze as local forces confronted the ADF militants. The incident has left the community angered, leading to the burning of the body of a deceased ADF assailant.
This attack is just one in a series of ADF-related incidents in the region, with a recent massacre in Oicha town leading to the deaths of 26 civilians. Despite the presence of peacekeepers, various militia groups and rebel organizations continue to operate in eastern DR Congo, posing significant security challenges.