09/08/2021 DRC (International Christian Concern) – The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group is suspected to be behind the massacre of least 30 people this weekend in the DRC, reports Aljazeera News.

“One civilian who helped look for bodies said the victims had mostly been attacked with machetes or shot,” wrote the news source.

The attack occurred on Saturday in the country’s northeastern province of Ituri.

For years, dozens of armed militias have wreaked havoc in the DRC, a predominately Christian nation. The largest among these groups is the ADF, an affiliate of ISIS whose primary aim is to create an Islamic Caliphate in Central Africa.

The UNHCR reported an “alarming increase” in attacks by ADF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the start of this year, 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 the rebel group.

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.

For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: [email protected].