Over 300 civilians killed by ADF rebels in eastern DRC this year

The United Nations office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has released a statement detailing the escalating violence in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where over 300 civilians have been killed by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels since the beginning of the year.

Recent attacks highlight brutal tactics

A devastating assault carried out by ADF rebels between May 30 and 31 in Ngadi, a village close to Beni in North Kivu, resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians and one soldier, according to government officials. Local reports indicate that the militant group has intensified its operations in the Beni region, claiming the lives of more than 40 civilians in just three days earlier this week.

ADF’s history of terror in eastern DRC

The ADF, which has been active in eastern DRC since the mid-1990s, has a long record of brutal attacks against civilians, resulting in thousands of deaths over the decades. In 2019, the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which now recognizes the ADF as its Central Africa Province and has taken credit for some of their most violent operations.

Security analysts warn that the ADF’s evolving tactics and ties to international extremist networks pose an increasing threat to regional stability, prompting urgent calls for stronger countermeasures.