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In a tragic escalation of violence, a series of brutal militia attacks in Beni, North Kivu province, have left over 30 people dead, further hindering efforts to combat an ongoing Ebola outbreak. The assaults, attributed to the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), have not only deepened the humanitarian crisis but have also sparked fears of a wider spread of the deadly virus as panic-stricken locals flee their homes.
A Night of Horror in Beni
The early hours of Wednesday marked a grim chapter in Beni’s struggle against both armed insurgency and disease. In a coordinated onslaught, the ADF struck three villages—Matété, Mamuli, and Kitoho—resulting in at least 10 confirmed deaths and widespread devastation. Eyewitness reports detail horrifying scenes: homes engulfed in flames, motorcycles razed, and innocent civilians taken hostage. Isaac Kavalami, a local leader, lamented the situation, stating, “We have provisionally recorded around 10 deaths. The ADF rebels are wreaking havoc.”
The violence erupted just before midnight on Saturday, with the militia breaching the town’s defences. Survivors
