Mambasa, Ituri Province – The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant Islamist group, have killed more than 30 civilians in a brutal overnight attack in Mambasa territory, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Local sources report that the victims were slaughtered in horrific fashion, with many beheaded and their mutilated bodies left scattered in plantations and along public roads. Witnesses described scenes of “unimaginable cruelty,” as families woke to find bodies dumped in the open.
The attack occurred in an area under the control of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who have been deployed as part of a joint military operation with the Congolese army (FARDC) to neutralize ADF insurgents.
Despite the presence of troops, the ambush was unexpected, leaving the community reeling in shock and fear.
“This is a traumatic moment for all of us,” a resident told local reporters. “We thought the soldiers would protect us, but the rebels struck without warning.”
This is not the first time ADF fighters have carried out such atrocities in Mambasa.
Just a few months ago, a similar massacre was reported, underscoring the group’s continuing ability to evade security operations and terrorize civilians in Ituri and neighboring North Kivu provinces.
Human rights groups and local leaders are now urging stronger protection measures for civilians, as well as deeper cooperation between Ugandan and Congolese forces, to prevent further bloodshed, but the Congolese government has lost control over majority of Eastern province. It can’t exert state authority and hundreds of rebel groups freely terrorize populations as they wish.
