At least 80 people killed by suspected ADF rebels in DRC | Africanews
Between Tuesday, May 4, and Friday, May 7, over 80 people fell victim to attacks conducted by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the villages of the Baswagha-Madiwe group, located in Beni territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The brutal attacks primarily took place on a Friday night in the villages of Masala, Mapasana, and Mahini, with authorities attributing the violence to the ADF. Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay, an army spokesperson in Congo’s North Kivu province, confirmed the rebel involvement.
Aside from the recent attacks, the ADF rebels also claimed the lives of 30 other civilians in Masau, Mununze, Kabweke, and Manlese within the preceding two weeks. The assailants not only took lives but also looted 25 motorcycles and set multiple houses ablaze during their raids.
As a result of the violence, residents of the affected areas sought sanctuary in Kyatsaba, certain neighborhoods in the western part of Beni city, and Mabalako. The influx of displaced persons has strained the resources of the General Reference Hospital in Mabalako, with numerous patients, including the wounded, requiring medical attention.
Escalating Violence in the Region
Since May 3, the civil society of Beni territory has documented a total of 123 civilian fatalities stemming from various attacks ascribed to the ADF rebels in the Bapakombe-Pendekali region. Incidents occurred in Mangina, Mantumbi, Kudukudu, Kalmango, and Beu-Manyama.
The ADF, now headquartered in eastern Congo, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, instigating frequent assaults that further destabilize an area already beset by numerous active militant groups.
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