Suspected Islamic terrorists kill 26 in Eastern Congo village

In the village of Oicha in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, suspected Islamist terrorists carried out an attack on Monday night that left at least 26 people dead, the mayor announced on Tuesday.

He blamed the deaths on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed organization from Uganda with headquarters in the eastern Congo that has vowed loyalty to the Islamic State and has carried out numerous attacks.

The incident happened at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), according to Oicha, North Kivu province’s mayor, Nicolas Kikuku. According to him, four persons were hurt and sent to the hospital.

“It’s sad because this time there was no warning,” said local activist Janvier Kasereka Kasayirio, who confirmed the attack and also blamed the ADF.

Uganda and Congo launched a joint military operation two years ago to try to root out the insurgents. Uganda’s army said last month it had succeeded in killing more than 560 fighters and destroying some of their camps.