Post

• International

• July 28, 2025

Komanda, Ituri Province – Eastern DRC | July 28, 2025

A heartbreaking tragedy struck the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as 38 innocent worshippers were brutally killed during a church prayer vigil on the night of Saturday, July 27, 2025. The attack took place in Komanda, a town in Ituri Province, and was carried out by armed militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS).

According to reports by Monitor Uganda, the rebels stormed the Catholic church during a night service, using guns and machetes. By the time the attack ended, at least 38 people were confirmed dead, 15 more were seriously injured, and several others were reported missing.

Witnesses and survivors described the horror as worshippers tried to flee or hide, but many were mercilessly slaughtered. Homes and shops around the area were also burned during the attack, leaving the local community devastated and displaced.

“They came during our overnight prayers. We were worshipping when we heard gunshots and screaming. People ran, but many didn’t make it,” a survivor told local radio.

The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group, has been active in eastern DRC for over two decades. In recent years, they pledged allegiance to ISIS, rebranding under Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP). Their terror tactics often target civilians—especially Christians—through village raids, church massacres, abductions, and mass killings.

This is not the first time churches have come under attack in the region:

1. February 2025: Nearly 70 Christians were abducted and later executed inside a Protestant church in Kasanga, North Kivu.
2. January 2024: A pastor’s family was targeted in Bayeti, with children killed and the pastor and his wife kidnapped.

Why This Matters

This attack is yet another grim reminder of the ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC, where millions live in constant fear. Despite the presence of Congolese troops and international peacekeepers, many areas remain vulnerable to ADF attacks.

🙏 We Stand With Komanda

As the world mourns this unimaginable loss, we stand in solidarity with the people of Komanda, and all victims of violence in the DRC. Let us raise our voices to demand peace, justice, and protection for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of extremism.

🕊️ May the souls of the 38 lost in Komanda rest in eternal peace.