At about 8 p.m. on Monday, May 13, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) carried out a brutal attack in Ndimo village, Ituri province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Islamic extremist group killed 11 Christians, kidnapped several others, and set houses on fire.
“The
timing of the attack coincided with the presence of the military
administrator of the territory in the Bandavilemba area,” a resident of
Ndimo in the Irumu territory told an International Christian Concern
(ICC) staff member. “This led to speculation that the ADF terrorists
targeted this area due to the administrator’s visit, aiming to disrupt
stability and sow fear among the local population.”
One survivor told ICC that the ADF rebels left many people homeless while other innocent civilians burned to ash.
“This
horrific attack has left a trail of devastation and despair, with the
loss of life and destruction of property reaching catastrophic
proportions,” the survivor said. “The ruthless and barbaric actions of
the ADF rebels have plunged our once peaceful village into a state of
fear, leaving us traumatized and vulnerable. The scale of the atrocities
committed by the ADF rebels in Ndimo is beyond comprehension, as more
than five families mourn their loved ones and struggle to come to terms
with the senseless violence that has shattered our community.”
A
Catholic bishop in Beni condemned the attack and called for the
civilians to be vigilant and report any strangers who enter the
community.
“The
brazen disregard for human life and dignity exhibited by these
extremists underscores the urgent need for heightened security measures
and robust counterterrorism efforts to safeguard innocent civilians from
such brutal acts of violence,” the bishop said. “The resilience and
courage displayed by the villagers in the face of such adversity are a
testament to their unwavering spirit and determination to rebuild their
lives amidst unimaginable tragedy.”
The
ADF’s attack on Ndimo comes a month after the group killed seven people
on April 11 near Beni. Although the DRC is a Christian-majority
country, more than 100 Islamist groups target Christians living in the
east. The ADF, which established ties with the Islamic State group in
2018 and seeks to establish Shariah throughout the region, often kidnaps
Christians and kills those who refuse to convert to Islam.
“While
the international community recognizes the extreme danger posed by ADF,
it does not seem to fully appreciate the religious component of the ADF
movement,” ICC’s regional director for Africa said. “Make no mistake –
the ADF is an Islamic terrorist group on a quest for global Jihad. The
ADF militants spread terror throughout the DRC through murderous
rampages on Christian villages, all while espousing extremist
propaganda and forcing victims to join their cause.”
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