An Islamist militant group is intensifying its brutal insurgency across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), carrying out a series of massacres that have killed scores of civilians in recent months and deepened a severe humanitarian crisis. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), now operating as the Islamic State Central African Province (ISCAP), is capitalizing on regional instability to expand its operations, posing a formidable and evolving threat to the African Great Lakes region.
The violence has been marked by its extreme brutality. On july 27, 2025, ADF rebels stormed a Catholic church in the town of Komanda, killing at least 34 people and burning homes and shops in the surrounding area. Just weeks earlier, between july 10 and 11, the militants used machetes to kill 66 civilians, including women and children, in the Walese Vonkutu chiefdom of Ituri province. Local authorities believe the attack was a retaliation for ongoing joint military operations against the group. In a similarly horrific incident in february, militants abducted at least 70 christian civilians from a village in North Kivu, herding them into a protestant church in the village of Kasanga where they were executed by beheading.
These attacks are the latest in a bloody campaign that has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where nearly 7 million people are now displaced. The ADF, originally formed as a Ugandan rebel organization in 1994, has undergone a significant transformation since its leader, Musa Baluku, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019. This affiliation has reportedly brought increased funding and recruitment, enhancing the group's operational capabilities and boldness.
A prime example of the group's growing strength was a mass prison break in Butembo, where ADF fighters freed nearly 800 inmates, showcasing their ability to conduct large-scale, coordinated operations despite a heavy military presence. In response, Congolese and Ugandan forces have conducted joint military operations targeting ADF strongholds. However, the group has proven resilient, adapting its tactics and exploiting security vacuums in the volatile region.
The conflict is further complicated by a web of regional rivalries. The ADF/ISCAP has been reportedly attempting to forge non-aggression pacts with other armed groups, such as the M23 rebels, to coordinate their activities in overlapping territories within North Kivu province. Furthermore, the geopolitical landscape is fraught with tension, including accusations that Uganda is supporting M23 to counter Rwandan influence in the DRC. This complex interplay of local and regional interests risks fueling a cycle of violence that makes a lasting resolution incredibly challenging.
As the ADF continues its campaign of terror, efforts by regional and international forces to contain its influence face an uphill battle. The group's evolution into a recognized Islamic State province marks a grave development for regional security, cementing its status as a significant and persistent threat in the heart of Africa.