ISIS Claims Deadly Attack in Congo: 10 Civilians Killed, Churches and Homes Burned
Kinshasa, December 2025 | Prime Headlines:
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a violent series of attacks in the Lubero region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 10 civilians were executed, several government soldiers were killed, and more than 20 homes and churches were burned.
The claim was published in ISIS’s weekly outlet An Naba, where the group described its operations in eastern Congo and took credit for raids on multiple villages.
Attacks Across North Kivu
The attacks hit communities including Ikobais and Ombol, continuing a pattern of brutality by ISIS-affiliated fighters in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Local residents say families fled overnight as homes and community buildings were set on fire.
Authorities report that several villages are now empty, with thousands displaced and seeking shelter in nearby towns.
International Attention Remains Limited
Despite repeated large-scale attacks in eastern Congo, global response has remained muted.
Analysts say international media and humanitarian agencies often describe the situation as “general conflict violence,” which can obscure the organized nature of ISIS-linked operations in the region.
Growing Security Crisis
Eastern Congo hosts dozens of armed groups, but ISIS-aligned militants (known locally as ISCAP – Islamic State Central Africa Province) have escalated their activities since 2020.
Their attacks frequently target remote villages, community centers, and security posts, causing widespread displacement and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
