An Islamic State–aligned rebel group carried out a series of deadly assaults in eastern Congo, killing 89 people, the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO said on Friday.

Attack Inside Hospital

In one of the worst incidents, ADF fighters stormed Byambwe village, about 60 kilometres west of Lubero town. They killed at least 17 people inside a hospital on Saturday. MONUSCO said the victims included 11 women who were receiving care in the maternity ward.

Region Still Trapped in Conflict

Eastern Congo continues to suffer from relentless violence. Many armed groups and militias operate in the region. Among them is the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which seized major areas of North and South Kivu earlier this year, in January and February.

Further north, the ADF — a group of former Ugandan rebels that swore allegiance to the Islamic State — has kept up its pattern of repeated massacres across both provinces.

Deadly Attacks Between November 13 and 19

MONUSCO said the ADF launched “particularly deadly” operations between November 13 and 19. The attacks hit several locations around the Lubero region of North Kivu. The UN mission said the assaults occurred in the Bapere and Baswaghga administrative areas.

The statement added that other communities were also targeted. Rebels abducted people, stole medical supplies and burned homes and property. These areas were already facing severe humanitarian distress, making the impact even more devastating.

Pattern of Violence by ADF and Other Groups

Armed groups like the ADF and the M23 rebels have carried out multiple deadly attacks in eastern Congo. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, operates along the Uganda–Congo border and frequently targets civilians.

In August, ADF fighters killed at least 52 people in several attacks over one week, according to the UN mission. In July, the group also killed nearly 40 people in Ituri province when fighters stormed a Catholic church during a vigil and opened fire on worshippers, including women and children.

Origins of the ADF

The ADF emerged in the late 1990s. It was formed by small Ugandan groups opposing President Yoweri Museveni. After Ugandan military operations pushed it out in 2002, the group moved into neighbouring Congo. Since then, it has been blamed for killing thousands of civilians.