A brutal attack by Islamic State-backed rebels on a Catholic church in eastern Congo resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals on March 10, 2024. The assault took place in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri Province, around 1 a.m. local time. Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in the region, reported the tragic events to The Associated Press, detailing the chaos as attackers stormed the church and subsequently set fire to several homes and shops in the vicinity.
Duranthabo noted that the bodies of the victims remained at the scene as volunteers prepared for their burial in a mass grave at the church compound. Video footage shared online depicted the aftermath, showing flames engulfing structures and bodies lying on the floor of the church. Witnesses expressed their sorrow, with some identifying the victims while others stood in shock.
The violence did not stop at the church. Earlier that same day, at least five additional fatalities occurred during an attack on the nearby village of Machongani. Local civil society leader Lossa Dhekana indicated that several residents were taken into the bush, with their fates unknown.
According to reports, both attacks are attributed to members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), who wielded firearms and machetes. The Congolese army spokesperson, Lt. Jules Ngongo, confirmed a minimum of ten deaths resulting from the assault on the church. However, U.N.-backed Radio Okapi provided a higher death toll, citing security sources that reported 43 fatalities.
The attackers reportedly originated from a stronghold located approximately seven miles from Komanda. After executing the assault, they fled the scene before security forces could intervene. Duranthabo urgently called for military support, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the attackers, stating, “the enemy is still near our town.”
This incident adds to the escalating violence in eastern Congo, where armed groups, including the ADF, have increasingly targeted civilians. The United Nations has called for enhanced security measures in the region in response to the deteriorating situation.
