A wave of violence continues to grip the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) launched a deadly overnight raid on three villages, leaving at least 14 people dead.
The attacks occurred between the night of Thursday, January 1, and the morning of Friday, January 2, 2026. The victims include 12 civilians and two Congolese soldiers.
The ADF, an armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), targeted the Lubero territory in the northwest of the North Kivu province. The raids were carried out simultaneously across three villages located within a seven-kilometer radius:
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Katanga
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Maendeleo
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Kilonge
According to Macaire Sivikunula, a local administrative leader, the incursions began around 8:00 PM and lasted until 10:00 PM, sparking widespread panic. While the official military death toll stands at 14, local reports suggest the number could be as high as 15 dead, with at least 13 houses set on fire.
Lieutenant Marc Elongo Kyona, a spokesperson for the Congolese army (FARDC), confirmed the casualties and stated that a pursuit is underway.
“Units of the FARDC and the Ugandan army are currently pursuing the enemy,” Kyona said. He noted that the rebels “sowed terror among a peaceful population” who were in the midst of New Year celebrations.
This latest massacre follows a bloody holiday season in the region. North Kivu has seen a sharp escalation in ADF activity recently, including:
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21 deaths during the week of Christmas.
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12 deaths just days later.
The ADF, originally formed in the 1990s by Ugandan rebels, has remained a persistent threat in the northeast DRC for decades. Since late 2021, the Congolese and Ugandan militaries have conducted a joint operation known as “Shujaa” to dismantle the group, though they have yet to successfully end the group’s frequent attacks on civilian populations.
