ISIS has claimed responsibility for recent attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that resulted in the deaths of more than 80 Christians and the closure of several churches.
According to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), The Islamic terrorist group announced on their Telegram channel: "More than 60 Christians were killed, including a Congolese army officer, in an attack by Caliphate soldiers in eastern Congo."
This attack is part of a series of coordinated assaults by jihadists from the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in North Kivu province. Agence France-Presse reported that nearly 150 people have been killed by the group since early June. This includes an attack on 7th June where at least 41 victims were killed, some of whom were found "tied up" and "decapitated".
A Congolese spokesperson informed Reuters about additional attacks in various areas, including Masawu village on 4th June, which left 15 people dead.
More than 120 terror groups are fighting for "power, land, and valuable mineral resources" in the DRC, according to a report from African News.
"Terrorist groups are taking advantage of the chaos to expand their hold on an already very unstable region," EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told Reuters.
The DRC government has yet to issue a statement on the recent attacks.
Former North Kivu governor Julien Paluku said on X: "People have the impression, rightly or wrongly, of being abandoned to their sad fate."
Open Doors' World Watch List ranked the DRC as number 41 among nations where Christians face extreme persecution. Although Christians constitute 95 per cent of the national population, CBN reported that certain eastern regions of the DRC are key targets for radical attackers.
The outlet also reported that the 2024 World Watch List indicated that the violence in these areas is deadlier and more "aggressive in targeting Christians" than in previous years.
Pope Francis pleaded on Sunday 16th June for national and international authorities to step in and stop the bloodshed.
"Painful news continues to arrive of attacks and massacres carried out in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo," Francis told crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus message.
"I appeal to national authorities and the international community to do everything possible to stop the violence and safeguard the lives of civilians."