DRC: Militants kill six civilians in attack in Beni territory (North Kivu province) June 17

Event

Militants reportedly attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group killed six civilians during an attack on the village of Kanana in Beni territory (North Kivu province) on Wednesday, June 17. The militants arrived in the village in the morning (local time), and the raid lasted several hours. This was the third such attack in the area over the past few days. A separate attack was launched by militants on an Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) position in the village of Katerrain on Wednesday. No casualty numbers have been confirmed in the other attack and it is not clear if the two incidents were connected.

Further militant attacks are to be expected in North Kivu province over the near term.

Context

The government's limited presence in the DRC's eastern provinces, as well as the presence of numerous armed groups and local self-defense militias, has led to continued insecurity in the area.

The ADF is a Ugandan Islamist militant group that has been active in North Kivu province since the late 1990s. There has been local and international speculation regarding potential links between ADF rebels and Islamic State (IS) militants.

Advice

Individuals in North Kivu province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.

A number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country due to poor security conditions, including the presence of armed groups and a high risk of kidnapping. Professional security advice should be sought prior to travel.