Overview
- The Allied Democratic Forces, a group aligned with the Islamic State, carried out a Wednesday night attack in Bafwakoa that killed at least 43 people and burned 44 houses, according to the regional army.
- Local officials and witnesses gave differing death tolls ranging from about 32 to at least 56, and authorities said the final count could rise as they verify reports.
- Search teams continued working on Thursday, with the Mambasa territorial administrator warning that more bodies may be found and that several residents remain unaccounted for.
- Witnesses said fighters set homes on fire and killed some victims with machetes, and at least two people were abducted during the raid.
- The ADF began in Uganda and pledged allegiance to IS in 2019, and the group has expanded attacks on civilians as Congo’s army also confronts other rebels such as the Rwandan‑backed M23 despite joint operations launched with Uganda in 2021.