Suspected Islamist Rebels Kill 30+ in Congo's North Kivu Province

According to a Congolese military official, suspected Islamist rebels have carried out a series of deadly attacks in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past few days, leaving at least 30 people dead.

The attacks took place in Bapere village between Wednesday and Friday last week. Col. Alain Kiwawa, the military administrator of Lubero territory where the village is located, reported that more than 30 people were killed and at least 100 others were taken hostage during the incidents.

A local civil society leader, Samuel Kaheni, further revealed that several houses were burned down and the victims were mostly killed with knives. These latest attacks are part of a string of recent assaults by the Allied Democratic Force (ADF), an Islamist rebel group with roots in neighboring Uganda.

The ADF has increased its attacks in the region in recent months, despite joint military operations launched by the Congolese and Ugandan governments against the group. The violence in North Kivu adds to the complex security challenges facing the eastern part of the DRC, where dozens of armed groups are active and the central government is also battling the M23 rebel group.

Lubero's military administrator has called on the local population to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities in order to prevent further attacks.