Suspected Islamists kill at the least 5 individuals in east Congo church bomb assault

At least 5 individuals have been killed and 15 wounded in a suspected Islamist militant bomb assault at a Protestant church within the japanese Congolese metropolis of Kasindi.

Beni,UPDATED: Jan 16, 2023 10:35 IST

The assault throughout a Sunday service was probably carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). ( Representative picture)

By Reuters: At least 5 individuals have been killed and 15 wounded in a suspected Islamist militant bomb assault throughout a Sunday service at a Protestant church within the japanese Congolese metropolis of Kasindi, on the border with Uganda, the army mentioned.

An military spokesman mentioned the assault throughout a Sunday service was probably carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan militant group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

“Despite the security measures put in place, the first indications show that it is the ADF which is behind this bomb attack,” Anthony Mualushay informed Reuters by cellphone.

The ADF couldn’t be reached for remark. It has not claimed accountability for the bombing.

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“I just came back from the scene, where I saw the bodies of children on the ground,” mentioned Kasindi resident Alain Kitsa by cellphone, describing the ambiance within the city as tense.

This could be the primary time the ADF focused Kasindi for the reason that group stepped up assaults within the area in 2014, native territorial administrator, Charles Omeonga informed Reuters, who mentioned the estimated dying toll was at the least 10.

Kasindi is in a province the place Congolese and Ugandan forces have launched a marketing campaign towards the ADF, which started as an rebellion in Uganda however has been based mostly in Congo for the reason that late Nineties.

It pledged allegiance to Islamic State in mid-2019 and is accused of killing a whole bunch of villagers in frequent raids over the previous two years.

Published On:

Jan 16, 2023