Islamic State-Linked Attack Claims Lives of Worshippers in DR Congo

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:28:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A deadly assault by the Allied Democratic Forces has resulted in multiple fatalities during a church vigil in Komanda, raising concerns over escalating violence in the region.

In northern Democratic Republic of Congo, an attack attributed to an Islamic State affiliate has taken the lives of dozens, including worshippers at a church vigil. Local officials report ongoing searches for additional victims as violence from the Allied Democratic Forces continues to devastate communities.

Dozens have lost their lives in a shocking assault by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an affiliate of the Islamic State, in the town of Komanda, located in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This tragic incident occurred when approximately 20 churchgoers were participating in a night vigil, only to be attacked by armed militants. Reports also indicate looting and arson of local businesses during the chaos.

The ADF, originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s protesting against perceived Muslim persecution, has since relocated to the DR Congo where it increasingly targets civilians across various religious backgrounds, as well as maintaining operations in Uganda. The group has become an integral part of the Islamic State's Central African Province, now responsible for a significant portion of IS activities in Africa.

Dieudonne Duranthabo, a local civil society coordinator, expressed his concerns to the Associated Press, stating that the search for more victims is ongoing. "More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside the church, and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned," he noted. Local priest Father Aime Lokana Dhego also reported to AFP that among the deceased were at least 31 members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement, with several other individuals injured and some young members unaccounted for.

While the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi reported a death toll of 43, official military representatives confirmed only ten casualties so far. The attacks have continued despite DR Congo's invitation to Ugandan troops to assist in combating the ADF back in 2021.

The Komanda town is situated within the mineral-rich Ituri province, a region that has faced long-standing violence from various armed groups, indicating that this latest incident is part of a broader issue of insecurity and conflict in the area. As violence persists, the community remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of this latest brutal attack.