Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group carried out a series of coordinated overnight attacks on three villages in the northwestern region of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming at least 14 lives. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a notorious militia with ties to IS, struck the communities simultaneously within a compact seven-kilometer radius, amplifying the terror and hindering immediate response efforts. Residents reported hearing relentless gunfire echoing through the night, forcing many to flee into surrounding areas for safety.

Local administrator Macaire Sivikunula characterized the assaults as a deliberate ADF incursion that unfolded between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm local time. He detailed the devastating aftermath, including the deaths of 15 individuals and the deliberate torching of 13 homes, leaving families displaced and communities shattered. Survivors who communicated with international media outlets verified the accounts, describing scenes of chaos as armed fighters targeted civilian dwellings with impunity.

The Congolese military acknowledged the severity of the incident, confirming a death toll of 14, comprising 12 civilians and two soldiers who perished while engaging the attackers. Regional army spokesperson Lieutenant Marc Elongo specified that the violence centered in the Bapera sector, underscoring the ADF's tactic of launching swift raids before security forces could mount a comprehensive counteroffensive. This pattern has contributed to the group's prolonged ability to inflict harm despite ongoing military pressure.

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The ADF, which originated as a rebel group opposing the Ugandan government, has established deep roots in the mineral-rich northeastern DRC since the mid-1990s, evolving into one of the region's most lethal insurgent forces responsible for thousands of civilian casualties over decades. The militia frequently exploits the dense forest cover to execute hit-and-run operations against soft targets, retreating rapidly to avoid sustained confrontations with armed forces.

International efforts to dismantle the ADF, including a joint operation launched in 2021 involving Ugandan troops deployed alongside Congolese counterparts, have yet to yield decisive results in halting the cycle of violence. Persistent attacks highlight significant operational challenges, including difficult terrain and logistical constraints, as the militia continues to pose a grave threat to stability and civilian security in the affected provinces.

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