Armed assailants suspected to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have killed at least 38 people following a brutal attack on a church during a religious gathering.

The bandits had stormed a quiet town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), leaving behind chaos, destruction, and a grieving community in an incident that amplifies the worsening political developments in Africa where politicians transform ethnicity and religion and violence as campaign tools.

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According to local media reports, the armed group linked to the Islamic State (IS) targeted the church located within Komanda City in Ituri Province on early Sunday, July 27.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, witnesses and local officials said heavily armed militants stormed the church, killing over 20 worshippers who had gathered for an overnight vigil with machetes and firearms.

“The attackers specifically targeted Christians who were gathered for an overnight vigil at the Catholic church. Tragically, many were killed using machetes and gunfire,” said Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist in Komanda.

The bandits, it was reported, also stormed nearby homes targeting additional victims, burning their houses and killing fleeing residents.

Shops and businesses in the vicinity were looted and torched during the assault, further deepening the devastation in the already volatile region.

UN-backed Radio Okapi reported the death toll at 43, while humanitarian sources continued to search for more victims.

Local civil society representatives condemned the attack and criticised the lack of adequate security in Komanda despite a significant presence of government forces.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for urgent military intervention to protect civilians amid ongoing threats in the area.

“We are deeply disheartened that such a horrific attack could happen in a town where security officials are fully present. We urgently call for military intervention, as the threat remains dangerously close to our community,” said Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda.

Many residents reportedly fled to the nearby town of Bunia, fearing further violence. Security forces say operations are underway to locate the assailants and prevent further attacks.

The ADF, originally an Ugandan rebel group that emerged in the 1990s, established a violent presence in the eastern DRC, routinely carrying out attacks on civilians.

Though the group initially claimed to fight for Muslim rights in Uganda, it has since evolved into a broader insurgent movement that targets communities across religious lines in both Uganda and the DRC.