KINSHASA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 49 civilians were killed in a series of attacks blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between Tuesday and Thursday, local media reported Friday.
At least 35 civilians were killed, and 14 others went missing on Tuesday when suspected ADF militants launched simultaneous attacks on eight localities in Mambasa of Ituri Province, the reports said.
The assailants struck five more localities on Thursday, killing at least 14 civilians, abducting several others and setting houses ablaze. Local media warned that the death toll could rise as searches for missing residents continued.
The latest violence followed another deadly attack in neighboring North Kivu Province on the night of Nov. 5.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the attack in Cantine-Aloya, Beni territory, was reportedly carried out by the ADF.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that 66 civilians, including three health workers, had been killed in the attack, while three health facilities were looted and burned.
The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State, is a Ugandan rebel group operating in eastern DRC. Its continued activity has prompted joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces since November 2021 to track down and neutralize the group. ■
