Komanda, Ituri Province, DRC – July 31, 2025, 03:10 AM PST

A horrific attack on a church in Komanda, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has left between 21 and 43 worshippers dead during night vigils on July 27 and 28 Central Africa Time (CAT). The assault, believed to be carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militant group with ties to the Islamic State, has shocked the region and raised concerns about the safety of religious communities amid ongoing conflict.

The attack occurred around 1 a.m. CAT on July 28, targeting a Catholic church where over 100 worshippers were gathered for a prayer vigil, some marking the parish’s 25th anniversary. Reports from local officials and the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) indicate that armed assailants stormed the church, using guns and machetes to kill worshippers, including women and children. Estimates of the death toll vary, with figures ranging from 21 to 43, including nine children, according to MONUSCO and local civil society leaders. Several injuries and abductions were also reported, with nearby houses and shops set ablaze.

The ADF, a rebel group originating in Uganda and now operating in eastern DRC, has been linked to the attack, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility via Telegram, alleging the deaths of 45 individuals. However, discrepancies in casualty numbers and the chaotic security situation suggest the true toll remains uncertain. This incident follows a pattern of violence by the ADF, including a reported 66 deaths in Ituri earlier this month, amid a broader conflict involving multiple armed groups like M23.

Congolese military officials have condemned the assault as a “large-scale massacre,” vowing to pursue the ADF, while MONUSCO has intensified protection efforts. The attack has reignited debates about the effectiveness of security measures and peace negotiations in the mineral-rich but conflict-torn region, where over 130 armed groups vie for control. As of 03:10 AM PST on July 31, 2025, the situation remains volatile, with no official confirmation of the exact number of victims or the full extent of the damage.

For updates, residents are advised to follow local authorities and international agencies like the UN.

Sources:
African Insider
https://www.africaninsider.com/world/40-killed-rebel-attack-northeast-dr-congo/
Vatican News
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-07/drc-attack-catholic-church-islamist-extremists.html