At Least 20 Killed in IS-linked Rebel Attack in Eastern Congo, Military Reports. Date-Line: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo — February 9, 2026 Rebels aligned with the Islamic State (IS) have killed at least 20 people in an attack on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, military officials reported.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group with ties to IS, carried out the assault in the village of Mambimbi-Isigo, located in the Lubero territory of North Kivu province.
The attack has caused significant displacement among the local population, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The incident marks a severe escalation of violence in an area that has long been beleaguered by conflict.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly its eastern regions, has been witnessing unrest involving various armed groups, including the ADF.
The ADF’s association with IS has introduced an international dimension to the conflict, raising concerns about the spread of jihadist ideology in the region. Regional officials confirmed that the attack, which involved the use of machetes, was likely in response to an ongoing joint bombing campaign by Congolese and Ugandan forces.
The military offensive began on Sunday and has been targeted at the ADF, which has a significant presence in the area and regularly targets civilians.
Jean Tobie Okala, spokesperson for the United Nations mission in Ituri, eastern Congo, described the attack as a “bloodbath, “with the number of victims rising to 66 civilians killed. Marcel Paluku, president of a local civil society organization, stated that all the victims were killed with machetes.
The number of people taken hostage remains unknown.
The ADF, which originated in Uganda in the late 1990s, became affiliated with IS in 2019. Rights groups and the UN have accused the ADF of numerous killings and abductions, including a significant number of children.
The attack on Mambimbi — Isigo is the latest in a string of brutal incidents carried out by the group, raising fears of further instability and suffering in the region.
The Congolese military and international forces have vowed to continue their offensive against the ADF, aiming to end the group’s reign of terror.
However, the attack on Mambimbi — Isigo has once again highlighted the daunting challenges facing the Congolese government and its allies in restoring peace and stability to the region. Further details and the military’s response to the incident are expected in the coming days.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
