URGENT UPDATE: An Islamic State-backed rebel group has launched a deadly attack in eastern Congo, killing at least 17 people, including breastfeeding mothers, in a hospital. The assault occurred in the village of Byambwe on the night of September 29, 2023, according to local authorities. Colonel Alain Kiwewa, a local administrator, described the horrifying scene, stating, “Women who were breastfeeding were brutally slaughtered and found with their throats slit in their hospital beds.”
Reports indicate that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) not only targeted the hospital but also attacked nearby villages, although the total number of casualties in those areas remains unconfirmed. Civil society leader Samuel Kakule Kagheni noted the rising violence from armed groups in the region, which has seen a surge in brutal attacks on civilians.
The ADF, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, has been responsible for numerous atrocities in eastern Congo. In a particularly brutal wave of violence in August, ADF fighters killed at least 52 people in a series of attacks, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. Earlier this year in July, they stormed a Catholic church in Ituri province, killing nearly 40 worshippers, including women and children.
As the ADF continues its violent campaign, tensions remain high. On September 30, 2023, the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, signed a framework agreement for a peace deal in Doha with hopes to end the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. However, the agreement is merely a precursor to further discussions and does not guarantee immediate peace.
The international community is closely watching these developments as the ADF’s horrific actions highlight the urgent need for effective intervention in the region. The violence has not only caused immediate loss of life but also instills fear in local communities, complicating humanitarian efforts.
In the wake of these attacks, authorities are urging civilians to remain vigilant as the situation develops. Further details are expected to emerge as local and international agencies respond to the crisis. The violence in eastern Congo underscores the ongoing struggle against rebel groups and the dire need for a comprehensive peace strategy.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.
