Over 300 civilians killed by ADF rebels in eastern Congo in 2026

The United Nations has released a statement confirming that over 300 civilians have been killed by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the beginning of 2026. The attacks have primarily targeted the Ituri and North Kivu provinces, with a recent assault in the early hours of May 31st in Ngadi, a village located near Beni in North Kivu, drawing particular condemnation.

The Congolese government confirmed that 15 civilians and one soldier lost their lives in the Ngadi attack, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region’s recent history. Local reports indicate that the ADF rebels executed multiple raids around Beni over a three-day span, resulting in more than 40 civilian casualties.

The ADF has been active in eastern DRC since the mid-1990s, notorious for its brutal campaigns against local communities. In 2019, the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which now claims responsibility for several of its operations under the banner of its “Central Africa Province.”