Terror raid leaves 35 people dead in Democratic Republic of Cong

By Nathan Morley

A spokesman for the army has confirmed Islamist militants killed at least 35 people in an attack on a village in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The attack in the village of Mukondi, an area beset with rebel activity, was in retaliation for a military crackdown in the area. 

It was a brutal incident and the victims were killed with knives. The death toll still hasn’t been confirmed.

Reports suggest the assailants were members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) - a violent Ugandan group based in eastern Congo with an allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.

The ADF conducts frequent raids on villages which always result in bloodshed.

It is understood the army is currently seeking those responsible for the atrocity, as well as looking for several villagers reported missing. 

The attack, according to reports from the area, was retaliation for the army arresting ADF collaborators and closing down chemists accused of supplying the group with chemicals to make explosives.

Just last week, the American government offered a reward of up to $5 million for information concerning the ADF leader.

The latest ADF attack comes as a United Nations Security Council delegation is due to arrive in the DRC later on Thursday.