At least 10 civilians have been killed in two armed attacks by militants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), media reported on Monday.

Militants conducted two simultaneous attacks in two districts of Mbo, a settlement located 12 miles north of Beni in the North Kivu province, Actualite newspaper reported on Sunday evening.

The first attack left nine people killed, including five women; while at least one person was killed in the second attack.

The attackers also set two houses on fire, took away livestock and held more than ten people hostage, the paper said.

The ADF has been waging a protracted war for resources against the central DR Congo government. The group was formed in western Uganda to oppose the government, but it eventually expanded its activities into the neighbouring states.

The group, which is believed responsible for frequent attacks in both Uganda and DR Congo, has since been labelled a terrorist organisation in Uganda.

In 2017, the ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, the umbrella body for many terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.