KINSHASA, Nov 22, (Xinhua): The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) on Friday condemned a series of deadly attacks by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern DRC that left at least 89 civilians dead. According to a MONUSCO press release, the ADF launched multiple attacks from Nov 13 to 19 in different localities in the Lubero territory, North Kivu Province.

At least 20 women and "an undetermined number of children" were among the victims, according to MONUSCO, one of the largest UN peacekeeping operations, which started winding down its operations in eastern DRC in 2024. MONUSCO said it is continuing joint operations with the DRC Armed Forces to protect civilians and to track ADF fighters active in North Kivu.

The ADF, an Islamic State-linked armed group of Ugandan origin, has intensified assaults on villages in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in recent months, primarily targeting civilians. According to the UN mission, the assaults claimed at least 52 lives in North Kivu between Aug 9 and 16. In late July, around 40 civilians were killed during an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri. Joint Congolese and Ugandan military operations against the ADF have been underway since November 2021, but the attacks persisted.