No fewer than 30 people were killed late Wednesday in an overnight attack blamed on Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The deaths occurred due to the recently launched series of deadly incursions into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a military spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

The DRC military spokesman for Beni Territory said ADF rebels launched an attack in the village of Mayikengo, Lubero Territory, North Kivu Province, Mak Hazukay, confirming the ADF’s first presence in Lubero Territory.

According to local sources, most of the victims, women and children, were killed by machetes.

This attack came days after several deadly incursions by ADF rebels into the neighbouring Beni Territory and killed 57 on June 3 to 8.

This is according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State in Central Africa, has been notorious for its violent activities in North Kivu and Ituri province.

The place has been under a state of siege since May 2021, with military and police authorities replacing the civilian administration.

Mr Hazukay said the resurgence of ADF rebel attacks against civilians was the result of heavy operational pressure exerted jointly by the Congolese and Ugandan militaries.

(Xinhua/NAN)