(Persecution.org) The UNHCR has reported an “alarming increase” in attacks by the terrorist group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the start of this year.
The ADF insurgency has “killed nearly 200 people, injured dozens of others, and displaced an estimated 40,000 people in DRC’s Beni Territory in North Kivu province as well as nearby villages in Ituri province,” stated UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch, “In less than three months, the ADF has allegedly raided 25 villages, set fire to dozens of houses and kidnapped over 70 people”. These attacks leave the villages and those living in them completely devastated. Despite these continued attacks, the government in DRC has been completely incapable of protecting their citizens in Eastern DRC. Rebel and Islamic Extremists groups have run rampant in this area for more than 2 decades.
ADF, an affiliate of ISIS, has the primary aim of creating an Islamic Caliphate in Central Africa. In order to achieve this, they often assault, kidnap and kill Christians. While a large majority (85-90%) of DRC’s population is Christian, violence rooted in Islamic extremism continues to worsen, putting the country at number 40 on the 2021 Open Doors World Watch List for Christian persecution. “These predominantly Christian communities are attacked by an Islamic extremist group with a clear Islamic expansionist agenda,” Open Doors spokesperson Illia Djadi stated in reference to ADF.
Please continue to pray for the healing of those traumatized by violence in the DRC, and for the Lord to comfort those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Please also pray for the Lord to strengthen government protection over its people and bring peace to the nation, and for the love of Jesus to redeem the souls of those who persecute the church.
