KINSHASA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 civilians were killed and several houses were set ablaze in an overnight attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported Friday, citing civil society sources.
The attack occurred overnight from Thursday into Friday in Cantine-Aloya, a locality in Beni territory, North Kivu province. Armed assailants reportedly entered the settlement, killing residents and setting fire to homes and commercial buildings.
Tchetche Aliamini, head of a local civil society organization, confirmed the attack and reported extensive damage to civilian property, according to local media.
The death toll remains provisional, with some local media outlets reporting that more than 20 people were killed. Some bodies were reportedly still at the scene, while many residents fled their homes amid the violence.
The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State in Central Africa, 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. ■
