Suspected Islamist Rebels Kill 17 in Eastern Congo Attack

At least 17 people were killed in an attack by suspected Islamist rebels on civilians working in fields in Oicha, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The attack is believed to be carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces. Victims were transported to the Oicha general hospital, some with severed heads.

BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 24 (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 17 civilians working in fields in eastern Congo's Oicha, North Kivu province, on Tuesday, a local official and a hospital worker said on Wednesday.

The attack occurred around 20 km west of Oicha town. Mayor Nicolas Kikuku attributed the violence to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked group from Uganda now operating in east Congo and known for targeting civilians.

By Wednesday evening, 17 bodies had arrived at Oicha's general hospital, said hospital morgue head Kakule Sekera, adding that some victims had been decapitated with machetes. The vice-president of a local civil society group, Patrick Kakule Mukohe, reported hearing of 31 total victims but had counted 17 bodies so far.