Islamic State-linked rebels kill 43 in eastern Congo, army say

April 2 (Reuters) – Forty-three people were killed in an attack by Islamic State-linked militants in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, the army said in a statement.

* The attack took place from around 7 p.m. local time (1700GMT) in Bafwakoa village, located in Mambasa territory, Ituriprovince, near the town of Niania, officials earlier toldReuters. * The Congolese military blamed the attack on the AlliedDemocratic Forces, a Ugandan armed group active in eastern Congothat is recognised by Islamic State as an affiliate. * 44 houses were set on fire, the statement said. * Some victims were killed with machetes and others burnedin their homes, and two people were abducted, said ChristianAlimasi, a local customary official in Mambasa territory. * ADF attacks on civilians have intensified in recent monthsin parts of Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu province, despitejoint Congolese-Ugandan military operations against the grouplaunched in 2021.  * Data from Insecurity Insight, a research organisation thatanalyses verified violent incidents affecting civilians, showsthe ADF accounted for about a quarter of reported violenceagainst civilians in eastern Congo between 2020 and 2025.

(Reporting by Congo newsroom; Writing by Clement Bonnerot and Portia Crowe; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Alexandra Hudson)