At least 43 people have been killed in a brutal overnight assault in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in what authorities suspect was an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to Islamic State.
The violence unfolded around 1:00 am on Sunday in Komanda, a locality in Ituri Province, as a Catholic prayer retreat was underway. Survivors say the attackers stormed the gathering, catching worshippers off guard and launching a deadly assault using both firearms and machetes.
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Among the dead are at least 32 adult worshippers and nine children, according to local accounts. Several others were reportedly abducted and taken into the surrounding forest before security forces could respond.
Witnesses say the attackers also set fire to the church hall and nearby homes, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
The ADF has been responsible for repeated massacres in eastern DRC, particularly targeting civilian gatherings. Efforts by regional and international forces to neutralize the group have so far struggled to contain its violent activities.
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