At least 15 people, including two soldiers, were killed in an attack carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on three villages in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials and military sources.
The group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State organization, launched coordinated overnight attacks on Thursday against the villages of Katanga, Maindilo and Kilong in the Lubero territory. The assault also resulted in the burning of at least 13 homes.
Military spokesman in the area, Lieutenant Colonel Marc Ilunga, said that Congolese and Ugandan army units are pursuing the attackers, despite the presence of joint forces deployed in the region.
The Allied Democratic Forces have long been accused of carrying out massacres, looting and repeated attacks against civilians since their formation several decades ago.
