In the early hours of Sunday morning, a brutal attack unfolded in the town of Komanda, in Ituri Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where armed militants believed to be part of the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed a Catholic church.

Worshippers had gathered for an overnight vigil organized by the humanitarian group Caritas when the assailants launched their assault with machetes and firearms.

Local civil society leaders confirmed at least 38 people were killed, with several homes and shops also set ablaze during the raid. Many victims belonged to the Eucharistic Crusade movement and had come to the church seeking prayer and solace.

As of Monday, search efforts continue for missing individuals, while wounded survivors receive treatment in overstretched local facilities.

Dieudonne Duranthabo, civil society coordinator in Komanda, called the attack “incredible,” expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in a town where security forces were stationed. He urged immediate military intervention, warning that the attackers were still reportedly in proximity to the area.

The ADF has intensified its operations in recent weeks across Ituri and North Kivu provinces, and was responsible for another massacre earlier this month that prompted the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) to describe the violence as a “bloodbath.” The UN condemned the group’s resurgence and called for heightened protective measures for civilians.

Formed in Uganda during the 1990s amid unrest against the government of President Yoweri Museveni, the ADF relocated to Congo in 2002 after Ugandan military offensives. Over the years, the group has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians, often targeting Christian institutions and rural communities.

In 2019, the ADF declared allegiance to the Islamic State, marking a shift toward more ideologically driven violence. This alignment has further complicated efforts by Congolese and Ugandan forces to contain the group, which now employs terror tactics across religious, ethnic, and geographic lines.

The Komanda massacre comes amid escalating insecurity in the region. The Congolese army faces ongoing threats not only from the ADF but also from the M23 rebel movement, which has resumed operations with alleged backing from Rwanda, deepening regional instability.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s attack, Komanda residents remain gripped by fear, with many fleeing to safer areas while others stay behind to protect homes and loved ones. Community leaders continue to press for stronger protection and more visible government response.

Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the night’s violence, describing the sanctuary turned killing ground, the smell of smoke from burning buildings, and children’s cries echoing through the chaos. What was meant to be a sacred gathering quickly became one of the darkest nights in the town’s recent history.

This latest atrocity lays bare the vulnerability of communities in eastern Congo and raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of domestic and international efforts to stem insurgent violence. Without immediate and coordinated intervention, the region risks further descent into devastation.

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