Dozens killed in church attack by ISIS-linked rebels in Congo

Dozens of people were killed in an early morning attack on a church in Komanda, eastern Congo, by rebels linked to the Islamic State. The assailants, armed with guns and machetes, targeted a nighttime prayer vigil attended by over 100 people. The attack, which also involved nearby burned houses, resulted in casualties including children, some of whom were taken hostage. The U.N. peacekeeping mission reported 43 deaths, while the Congolese Army stated around 40 were killed. The church had previously requested security, but no intervention occurred during the assault. This incident casts doubt on the effectiveness of recent peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as ethnic and religious armed groups continue to escalate violence in the region.