DRC: Islamic State-affiliated group enclave dismantled

Kinshasa, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) Joint forces from the armies of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda (Uganda People's Defense Force) dismantled a stronghold of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Matolo-Kaseni, near the Ituri River in eastern Congo. The operation against the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated armed group was announced on Wednesday, but it took place on December 29 and 30. It aimed to dismantle the bases from which they organize attacks on the population.

January 7, 2026
09:38

Provincial lawmakers and representatives of civil society spoke out favorably of the action, Radio Okapi station informed; however, they advocated for establishing military targets in Elake, Leta, and Sita Rudi, in addition to requesting that joint operations be extended to Lolwa and Menzimenzi.

The ADF is one of the deadliest armed groups operating in eastern DRC, characterized by attacking communities at midnight, massacring people, burning homes, and looting everything in their path.

The death toll from ADF attacks exceeded 200 last year, in addition to numerous injuries and kidnapped individuals.

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