Militants kill dozens in North Kivu village amid regional violence

Armed militants struck villages in North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving at least 33 dead in what residents described as coordinated raids. The attacks occurred in an area already grappling with an Ebola outbreak and persistent insecurity from armed groups operating across the region.

Local communities have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces for the violence. The ADF, a militant organization with roots in Uganda, declared its allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019 and has since become one of the most active armed groups in the DRC's troubled eastern provinces.

North Kivu has endured years of violence from various militia factions competing for control and resources. The province's instability has complicated humanitarian efforts, including responses to disease outbreaks, and has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.

The attacks underscore the precarious security situation facing civilians across eastern DRC, where government forces and international peacekeepers have struggled to contain armed group activities. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the incidents, and the full extent of casualties remains unclear as access to affected villages remains restricted.