Beni, North Kivu Province: A fresh wave of violence has engulfed the Babila-Bakaiko locality in Beni territory, with ADF rebels claiming the lives of at least 37 civilians over a three-day period.
Local civil society leader Kinos Katuho reported the horrific toll,, which also incldes the destruction of homes and motorcycles, and numerous missing persons.
The attacks, which began on Tuesday, July 16, have prompted calls for immediate and joint military action by the Congolese and Ugandan armies.
Katuho emphasized that prior warnings about the rebel presence were ignored by authorities, exacerbating the tragedy. As of Saturday morning, the death toll is expected to rise due to ongoing searches for abducted civilians.
The FARDC has reportedly deployed troops to pursue the rebels, who fled towards the west of National Road number 4.
Note: The death toll is a provisional figure and could increase.
