Congo rebels attack leaves 36 civilians dead

At least, 36 people have been confirmed dead after rebels attack villages in eastern Congo, a local official and civil society group said Thursday.

Washington Post reported that the Allied Democratic Forces, ADF, rebels attacked overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in four villages, including Manzingi and Maleki, in Beni territory, said Beni administrator Donat Kibwana.

“I ask the people to calm down and denounce any suspicious person,” he said. “We would like the army to strengthen its presence here.”

The inability of Congolese soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers to protect civilians from the attacks has been an increasing concern for residents.

The ADF originated in Uganda and has long been a threat in eastern Congo. The Islamic State group recently claimed some attacks carried out by ADF rebels but the exact relationship between the two groups is not entirely clear.

According to Omar Kavota with the local human rights group CEPADHO, at least 292 civilians have been killed in such attacks since Oct. 30.

The attackers reportedly went door to door, killing people in their homes. They also looted goats, chickens and other valuables, according to the rights group.

The army heard of the attacks only after the attackers withdrew from the villages, the group said. Bodies were being gathered and prepared for burial, Kavota said.

A church leader was killed in another attack Wednesday morning in the village of Bunake before soldiers repelled the attackers, the statement said.

Reports suggested that the attacks could be retaliation for the recent killing of many suspected extremists in the region, the rights group said.