At least 23 villagers, according to local sources, were killed overnight from Sunday to Monday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in an attack attributed to the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) and claimed by the Islamic State group .

The jihadist group, which presents the ADF as its branch in Central Africa, published a statement on Telegram indicating that members of the organization had attacked the village of Makugwe, in Beni territory in North Kivu.

"Twenty-four people, including six women, were killed in this ADF incursion," Roger Wangeve, president of local civil society, told AFP earlier.

An army spokesman in the region also put the death toll at 24 dead and 10 missing.

Staying in this village, the provincial deputy Saidi Balikwisha mentioned to him a balance sheet of "23 people killed".

This elected official pleaded for an increase in "well endowed and well equipped, well treated military personnel" to hope to be able "to anticipate enemy attacks".

According to Roger Wangeve, among the victims are 17 people who were "in a small bar where they were drinking beer".

The ADF "executed them all", he said.

At least seven residential houses were burned, three pharmacies and eleven shops looted, while the number "of civilians taken to the bush is not yet known", added Roger Wangeve.

"We regret and we ask ourselves the question: 'How can it be possible to kill the population a few meters from the military camp?'", he asked himself.

>> To read also: "What are the main armed groups active in eastern DR Congo?"

A region "under siege"

Questioned by AFP, Colonel Charles Omeonga, administrator of the territory of Beni, indicated that the armed forces were "pursuing the enemy" who, according to him, was "hiding in the population".

The ADF, Muslim rebels of Ugandan origin, are active in the north of North Kivu and the south of the neighboring province of Ituri.

They are considered one of the deadliest armed groups in the eastern region of the DRC.

Their last major action dates back to January 15 when at least 14 people were killed and 63 others injured in a bomb attack in a Pentecostal (Evangelical Protestant) church.

This attack was claimed by the OEI.

The ADF was placed in 2021 by the United States on its list of "foreign terrorist organizations", in connection with the OEI.

In an attempt to stop the violence, without success so far, North Kivu and Ituri were placed in May 2021 in a "state of siege" by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, an exceptional measure which replaced the administrators civilians by police and military officials.

Since the end of 2021, a joint Congolese-Ugandan military operation has also begun to target the ADF on Congolese territory.

But the attacks continued.

With AFP

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