An Islamic State-affiliated group attacked villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the border with Uganda, killing at least 40 people and burning and looting homes, a local civil society group said on Friday.
The civil society organization, which has not been named in initial reports, provided the account of the assault. It stated that the attackers were affiliated with the Islamic State group. The villages targeted lie in eastern Congo, an area where multiple armed groups operate.
The group reported that the assailants set fire to dwellings and stole property during the attack. The exact date of the incident was not immediately specified, but the civil society group made its report public on Friday.
The reported death toll of at least 40 people makes this one of the deadliest recent attacks in the region. The burning and looting of homes indicates a deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, according to the civil society group's account.
The border area with Uganda has experienced cross-border violence in the past. The Islamic State-affiliated group has previously carried out attacks in both Congo and Uganda, contributing to regional security concerns.
Local authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. The civil society group's report underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in eastern Congo. Further details are expected as investigations proceed.
No right-leaning sources reported on this story beyond the initial wire-style dispatch. The left-leaning source similarly relayed the civil society group's account without additional commentary.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy