Massacre in Eastern Congo: ADF Rebels Attack Church, Killing at Least 38 Worshippers
At least 38 worshippers killed and 15 injured in a brutal ADF rebel attack on a Catholic church in eastern DR Congo’s Komanda. Local leaders demand military action amid escalating violence.
NewsSutra
Komanda, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 27, 2025 – In a harrowing assault in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, armed militants linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed a Catholic church in Komanda during a prayer vigil, killing at least 38 worshippers, injuring around 15, and leaving several missing. The brutal attack has drawn international condemnation and intensified calls for urgent military intervention in the embattled region of Ituri.
Officials and eyewitnesses describe a pre‑dawn strike around 1 a.m., as worshippers gathered for night mass. Armed with guns and machetes, assailants entered the church compound, shooting and hacking victims both inside and in the surrounding area. Several homes and shops nearby were also set ablaze. Local civil society leaders report that some victims were found burnt.Reuters+6Reuters+6AP News+6
Context of the Attack
Komanda lies in Ituri province, a region that has suffered persistent and deadly violence, especially from the ADF, an Islamist rebel group with ties to ISIS, active since the late 1990s. Initially formed in Uganda, the group shifted operations to eastern DRC and pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2019.Wikipedia+15Wikipedia+15AP News+15
The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent months. Reports suggest the death toll may rise—local civilians and Radio Okapi, a UN-backed broadcaster, cited figures as high as 43 fatalities.Straight Arrow News+1AP News+1
Casualties and Human Impact
The official casualty count stands at 38 confirmed dead and 15 injured, but the toll may grow. Some residents remain unaccounted for, and community leaders warn many may have been abducted.France 24+11Reuters+11Straight Arrow News+11 Survivors described chaos and trauma—many sustained gunshot and machete wounds, while others were burned alive.
In response, volunteers are preparing a mass grave near the church site, as identification is difficult and many bodies remain at the scene. Civil society leader Dieudonne Duranthabo emphasized the urgency for burial logistics amid the devastation.Al Jazeera+3AP News+3Straight Arrow News+3
Local and Civil Society Reactions
Human rights activists on the ground, including Christophe Munyanderu, confirm the ADF as the perpetrators. Munyanderu reported that attackers deliberately targeted Christians attending the night mass.Reuters+7Reuters+7Al Jazeera+7 Compounding the outrage, local residents noted that the town hosts security personnel, yet no preventive measures were in place. Duranthabo appealed for immediate military intervention, warning that rebels remained in proximity.Wikipedia+15AP News+15Al Jazeera+15
Official Response and Security Situation
A spokesperson for the Congolese army in Ituri confirmed the assault and acknowledged ADF involvement, highlighting the group’s continued ability to strike despite security deployments in the region.Wikipedia+9Al Jazeera+9ABC News+9
At a broader level, UN agencies and regional councils have condemned the attack, reiterating the need for effective stabilization and protection of civilians. In recent months, the ADF has carried out multiple deadly raids, killing dozens in rural villages.Wikipedia
Historical Perspective: ADF Violence in Focus
The ADF has perpetrated a long string of massacres in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Notable incidents include the Makugwe massacre of March 2023, and the Kasanga church slaughter in February 2025, where over 70 civilians were abducted and executed.WikipediaWikipedia The latest attack adds to a pattern of night raids, brutal targeting of civilians, and anti-government defiance.
Urgent Calls for Security Reinforcement
Local religious leaders and NGOs are demanding immediate deployment of reinforcements, including joint military land and air operations. They stress that delaying further could leave Komanda and surrounding communities vulnerable to continued bloodshed.AP NewsStraight Arrow News The rebel enclave is reported to be within seven miles (12 km) of Komanda, underlining its ability to strike with impunity.AP NewsReuters
Civilian Displacement and Humanitarian Fallout
The trauma inflicted extends beyond the casualties; many residents have fled in panic, abandoning homes and businesses. Relief agencies warn that the violence will drive further displacement, complicating aid operations already under strain due to overcrowded shelters and limited resources.
Political and Regional Implications
The government faces mounting pressure to contain rebel activity in eastern DRC, particularly given the fragile security landscape that also includes clashes between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion.
The ADF’s resilience, despite joint operations from Congolese and Ugandan troops, highlights weaknesses in command and coordination. Analysts warn that unless ground strategies improve, atrocities like Komanda's may recur.ABC News+2Arab News+2Al Jazeera+2Arab News+5AP News+5Al Jazeera+5
International Response and Next Steps
International bodies including the UN have called for investigations, redress, and humanitarian aid. UN stabilization units have flagged this episode as deeply disturbing and indicative of escalating extremism in northeast Congo.ReutersFrance 24 Meanwhile, regional leaders are discussing enhanced deployments and support operations to deter such attacks.
Conclusion: A Moment of Reckoning for Congo
This attack on a Catholic church is a brutal symbol of the ADF’s strategy—targeting civilians during sacred gatherings to instill terror. The indigenous community of Komanda, shaken and grieving, calls for urgent justice and protection. With dozens killed and more missing, it is a moment of grave reckoning for the DRC government and its regional partners.
The coming days will determine whether the government can translate outrage into effective action—strengthening security, providing justice, and preventing another tragedy in eastern Congo.
