At least 21 civilians have been killed in a brutal attack carried out by Allied Democratic Forces in the village of Biakato in Ituri province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to local authorities, humanitarian organizations, and international media reports, in an incident reflecting the worsening security situation and continued violence despite ongoing military operations.
The massacre took place between May 7 and May 10, with initial reports indicating 12 deaths before additional bodies were discovered in nearby areas, raising the toll to at least 21, according to local officials.
Authorities said many of the victims were civilians returning from farms when they were intercepted by attackers, while witnesses reported that militants burned homes and motorcycles and abducted several residents, forcing some captives to transport looted goods into surrounding forest hideouts.
Government forces later launched pursuit operations in dense forest areas to track the attackers and attempt to rescue those kidnapped, facing operational challenges due to terrain and ongoing security threats.
The attack is part of a broader wave of violence across eastern Congo, with security and humanitarian sources estimating that around 60 civilians have been killed in separate incidents in early May, heightening fears among already displaced populations.
Local officials warned that armed groups are expanding operations into areas previously considered relatively stable, with regional leaders describing the situation as concerning and calling for a reassessment of military strategy.
The attack coincided with the release of an international report accusing the group of widespread abuses, including mass killings, sexual slavery, child recruitment, and abductions, based on survivor testimonies.
The report said women and girls were forced into coerced relationships with fighters, while abducted civilians were used as human shields or forced to transport weapons and supplies through forest routes.
It also noted that the group has taken advantage of military focus on other conflicts in neighboring areas to expand its operations.
Since 2021, government forces have conducted joint operations with a neighboring country to dismantle militant strongholds, but these efforts have faced persistent challenges due to the group’s mobility and decentralized tactics.
Humanitarian organizations warn that ongoing violence has worsened displacement, with more than 60,000 people fleeing their homes in affected areas over the past two months.
The group originated in the 1990s before shifting its operations into eastern Congo, where it has evolved into one of the most dangerous armed groups in the region.
The latest massacre is expected to increase pressure on authorities to strengthen civilian protection and reassess security strategies amid growing concerns that violence is spreading further into Ituri.
