At least 80 people were killed between Tuesday, May 4, and Friday, May 7, in a series of attacks by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the villages of Baswagha-Madiwe group, Beni territory, North Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The deadliest attacks occurred on Friday night in the villages of Masala, Mapasana, and Mahini, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay, an army spokesman in Congo’s North Kivu province. The ADF rebels were responsible for these attacks, which resulted in significant casualties and property destruction.

In addition to the recent attacks, ADF rebels killed 30 other civilians in the villages of Masau, Mununze, Kabweke, and Manlese over the past two weeks. The rebels also stole 25 motorcycles and set fire to several houses during their incursions.

The violence has forced populations in the affected areas to flee their homes, seeking refuge in Kyatsaba, neighbourhoods in the western part of the city of Beni, and Mabalako, where the General Reference Hospital is overwhelmed with patients, including the injured.

Since May 3, the civil society of Beni territory reports that 123 civilians have been killed in various attacks attributed to ADF rebels in the Bapakombe-Pendekali region, including Mangina, Mantumbi, Kudukudu, Kalmango, and Beu-Manyama.

The ADF, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, is based in eastern Congo and frequently mounts attacks, further destabilizing a region already plagued by numerous militant groups.