At least fifty civilians have been killed in a brutal assault by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local media reported on Saturday, 21 March. The attacks, which took place between 9 and 15 March, targeted the villages of Muchacha and Babesua in the Mambasa area of Ituri Province, according to Radio Okapi.
Attack Details
Local civil society sources report that the rebels killed 35 civilians in the gold-rich Muchacha mining area and 15 in Babesua. The ADF, which has operated in eastern Congo for several years, is known to have links with the international jihadist organisation ISIS (Daesh).
The assault was accompanied by widespread looting and arson. Rebels destroyed numerous homes and seized valuable property from local residents, leaving the affected communities in a state of terror.
Displacement and Humanitarian Impact
The violence has forced dozens of families from areas along National Road 4 to flee their homes. Despite joint military operations by Ugandan and Congolese forces since 2021, lasting peace has yet to be restored in these rebel-active regions. The persistent attacks in this mining-rich area are increasingly undermining both national security and economic stability.
| Location | Civilians Killed | Homes Destroyed | Families Displaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muchacha | 35 | Many | 20+ |
| Babesua | 15 | Several | 15+ |
Civil society groups have called on the Congolese government to prioritise security and address the growing humanitarian crisis in Ituri Province. They have urged swift restoration of state authority to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life.
Earlier this week, the Congolese government condemned the deadly attacks in the eastern mining areas. However, local residents warn that more robust on-the-ground measures are required to suppress the ADF insurgency effectively.
International Concern
On 13 March, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Ituri. The UN highlighted that displacement camps are becoming overcrowded, and delivering humanitarian aid has grown increasingly difficult.
The escalating disorder in the region has raised fears of a severe humanitarian crisis. International observers warn that unless the rebels’ operations are halted, the number of displaced persons is likely to rise sharply, further straining local resources and relief efforts.
The attacks underscore the urgent need for coordinated action to stabilise eastern Congo, restore public safety, and provide essential humanitarian assistance to affected communities.