In brief
Local reports say that the Allied Democratic Forces raided Cantine‑Aloya overnight, killing at least ten residents, destroying houses and commercial buildings, and setting fire to several structures. The death toll may be higher, with some media outlets estimating more than 20 deaths. The attack is part of ongoing hostilities involving the ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State, which has been targeted by joint Congolese‑Ugandan military operations since 2021.
The settlement of Cantine‑Aloya in Beni territory, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was the scene of a violent overnight attack on Friday, according to local media reports.
Armed assailants, identified as members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), entered the community from evening into the early morning. They opened fire on residents and set several houses ablaze, the reports say. Local witnesses said the attackers moved swiftly, causing widespread chaos before retreating into the surrounding area.
At least ten civilians were confirmed dead, but the fatality figure was said to be provisional. Some local media outlets estimated that the number of deaths may exceed twenty, citing bodies still found on the scene and the urgent need for medical aid.
In addition to the loss of life, the assault caused extensive property damage. Several communal and commercial buildings were reported burned or severely damaged, and dozens of homes were destroyed or rendered unsafe by fire. Local civil society sources described the situation as “catastrophic” for the town’s infrastructure.
Numerous residents fled their homes amid the violence, seeking shelter in the surrounding forest and in temporary shacks set up by aid groups. The sudden displacement of people caused a surge in humanitarian demand across the area, with non‑governmental organizations scrambling to reach the most affected families.
Tchetche Aliamini, head of a local civil society organization, confirmed the attack and noted that the community’s war‑time vulnerabilities were exacerbated by the sudden onslaught. He described the event as a tragic reminder of the ongoing violence that haunts Beni’s rural settlements.
The ADF is an extremist rebel group with ties to the Islamic State, operating primarily in eastern DRC. Their re‑emergence in the region has triggered a series of military campaigns designed to curb their influence. The Congolese army, supported by Uganda’s forces, has targeted ADF safe‑houses and supply routes since late 2021.
Joint Congolese‑Ugandan operations in North Kivu have aimed to locate and neutralise the ADF, following a series of attacks on civilian villages and a high‑profile raid that captured key insurgent leaders last year. These initiatives have spurred debate over the balance between counter‑terrorism efforts and protecting local communities.
Community officials in Beni have called for increased security, urging the regional and national governments to prevent future attacks and to provide immediate relief to the affected families. The incident at Cantine‑Aloya is the most recent in a series of violent incidents attributed to the ADF in the province over the past year.
With growing international attention on insurgent groups in eastern Congo, the incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to rebuild communities and restore peace in the region.
