Komanda: More than 40 people were killed in an attack by an Islamic State affiliate in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN and the military said. Most of the victims were worshippers participating in a night vigil at a church in the town of Komanda when they were attacked by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters. Nine of those killed were children, according to the UN peacekeeping mission.
According to BBC, nearby shops and businesses were looted and set on fire during the attack. The UN peacekeeping mission, Monusco, stated that the attack claimed at least 43 lives, including 19 women, 15 men, and nine children. Monusco's deputy chief Vivian van de Perre commented on the incident, noting that targeted attacks against civilians, especially in places of worship, violate human rights standards and international humanitarian law.
The Congolese military reported that "about 40 people were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured." It described the attack as an act of revenge by terrorists against peaceful populations to spread terror. Lt Jules Ngongo, the Congolese army spokesman in Ituri province, where the attack occurred, mentioned that the attack was meant to divert attention from their ongoing joint military operation with the Ugandan military targeting the militant group.
Lt Ngongo emphasized that the army would continue to pursue the ADF "to their last stronghold" and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the defence and security forces. Despite inviting Ugandan troops into DR Congo in 2021 to combat the ADF, attacks continue to persist.
Komanda is located in DR Congo's mineral-rich Ituri province, an area that has been contested by various armed groups for many years. Last week, Monusco condemned a "resurgence of violence," citing earlier ADF attacks on July 8-9, which resulted in 47 deaths.