CONGO ATTACK KILLS AT LEAST 22

At least 22 civilians have been killed following a series of deadly attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), raising fresh concerns about insecurity and the safety of vulnerable communities.
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‎The attacks, which occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10 and 11, 2026, targeted eight locations in Mambasa territory, Ituri province, near the border with Uganda. According to local civil society and human rights monitoring groups, at least 10 other people were abducted during the attacks.
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‎The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group affiliated with the Islamic State organisation, were blamed for the violence. The attackers reportedly targeted remote communities, setting homes and motorcycles ablaze and leaving residents traumatised.
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‎Marie-Noelle Anatobe, coordinator of the Civil Society of Congo in Mambasa territory, confirmed that the death toll remained provisional. She warned that the number of casualties could increase as some affected communities remain difficult to reach.
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‎The latest incident has renewed criticism of security arrangements in the region, where armed groups have continued to threaten civilian populations despite ongoing military operations.
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‎Col. Maxime Tshishimbi, deputy administrator of Mambasa, said the military was continuing efforts to contain the activities of the armed group. However, residents have repeatedly expressed concerns about the absence of security forces during attacks on their communities.
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‎The ADF originated in Uganda before establishing operations in eastern Congo. The group has carried out repeated attacks against civilians over several years and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019.
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‎Congolese and Ugandan forces have conducted joint military operations against the militants, but efforts to eliminate the group have achieved limited success.
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‎Beyond the immediate loss of lives, the latest violence could worsen an already difficult humanitarian situation in Ituri province. The region is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak that has infected more than 11,000 people and claimed over 5,000 lives, according to reported health figures.
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‎Security concerns could disrupt healthcare activities, restrict humanitarian access and discourage residents from seeking medical assistance.
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‎The latest killings highlight the urgent need for stronger civilian protection, improved intelligence gathering and more effective security operations.
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‎As families mourn their loved ones and communities struggle to recover, pressure is mounting on Congolese authorities and their regional partners to take decisive action against armed groups and prevent further bloodshed.