Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Islamic State Claims Church Bombing in East Congo; 14 Dead
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
January 17, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

KASINDI, Congo — Islamic extremists claimed responsibility for a bombing of a church in eastern Congo as authorities said Monday that the toll from Sunday’s attack had risen to at least 14 dead.

The Islamic State group and its Aamaq news outlet issued statements saying that its militants had planted an explosive device inside the Pentecostal church in Kasindi and detonated it while people were praying.

“Let the Congolese forces know that their continued attacks on the Mujahideen will only bring them more failure and losses,” the group said in its statement.

The extremists claimed the bomb killed 20 Christians. Congolese authorities put the toll Monday at 14 dead and at least 63 wounded.

The injured were evacuated to Beni General Hospital by the U.N. peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO, authorities said.

Deadly Militias Battle for Territory

Violence has wracked eastern Congo for decades as more than 120 armed groups and self-defense militias fight for land and power. Nearly 6 million people are internally displaced, and hundreds of thousands are facing extreme food insecurity, according to the U.N.

Fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel organization that is believed to have links to the Islamic State group, have carried out several attacks in Kasindi, which is located on the border with Uganda.

Troops from Uganda’s army have deployed to eastern Congo to try to stem the violence, but the attacks have increased and spread. ADF attacks since April have killed at least 370 civilians and involved the abduction of several hundred more, a report by the United Nations last month said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

UN May Cut Staff by 20%, Internal Memo Says

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

7 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

21 hours ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

For your next trip, have you considered townsizing? What about choosing a detour destination? And instead of forest-bathing, maybe it’...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

6 hours ago

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

7 hours ago

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

7 hours ago

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

21 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

21 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

21 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

21 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend