UN Warns of Deadly Attacks in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as MONUSCO, warned on Saturday of a wave of attacks in the country's east that have targeted civilians, resulting in dozens of deaths in recent days in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu.

The mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by conflict for three decades, involving various armed groups, militia, and army troops.

Since 2021, the Ugandan army has been deployed in the northern part of North Kivu and in Ituri, alongside the Congolese military, to fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Local and security sources reported that ADF fighters killed at least 36 people in two days of attacks in Ituri and North Kivu.

The situation is being closely monitored by the UN and local authorities, with further assessments and potential responses expected in the coming days, including a possible increase in security measures to protect civilians.