URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking act of violence, at least 17 people, including breastfeeding mothers, were brutally murdered in a hospital attack in Byambwe, Eastern Congo on Friday night, authorities confirm. The assault, carried out by the Islamic State-backed Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator, the victims were found with their throats slit in their hospital beds. “Women who were breastfeeding were brutally slaughtered,” Kiwewa stated in a report to The Associated Press. The attack, which also targeted surrounding villages, has left the community in fear and mourning.
Civil society leader Samuel Kakule Kagheni reported additional attacks in nearby areas, although he could not confirm the number of casualties there. The ADF, known for its violent campaigns against civilians, has a notorious history in Eastern Congo, having pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2019. This group operates primarily along the border with Uganda and is infamous for its brutal tactics.
This latest assault follows a series of deadly incidents attributed to the ADF. In August 2023, the group killed at least 52 people in multiple attacks throughout the week. Earlier in July 2023, nearly 40 people were killed during an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri province, shocking the nation as worshippers, including many women and children, were targeted.
The ADF originated in Uganda in the late 1990s amid discontent with President Yoweri Museveni and relocated to Congo after military strikes. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians, perpetuating a cycle of violence that has plagued the region for decades.
In a related development, the M23 rebel group signed a framework agreement for a peace deal on Saturday in Doha, Qatar, aimed at ending the longstanding conflict in Eastern Congo. However, tensions remain high, and the framework is merely a precursor to future discussions, according to M23 delegation head Benjamin Mbonimpa.
As the situation continues to evolve, local authorities and international organizations are calling for urgent action to address the escalating violence and provide humanitarian aid to affected communities. The attacks by the ADF and the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Congo remain critical issues, with urgent implications for regional stability and security.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
