Jihadi terrorists killed at least 30 Christians, raped 10 young women and girls, and abducted several others from churches in a string of attacks on villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an organisation that aligns itself with the Islamic State terrorist group, recently raided five villages in north-eastern DRC. Terrorists armed with guns, machetes, clubs, swords and axes reportedly surrounded churches in each of the five villages.
Sources: Christian Post, The Barnabas Fund, Australian Prayer Network
Local authorities confirmed reports that the terrorists targeted Christians, killing those who refused to convert to Islam.
At least 15 people were abducted from two churches, while 14 other Christians were transported to a hospital and reported as being in critical condition suffering from severe injuries.
One Christian survivor witnessed the murder of his wife and three children as he hid in a bathroom. In another village, a pastor lost all five members of his family who were slaughtered after they refused to convert to Islam.
Led by Musa Baluku, the ADF has become the DRC’s most active and violent terrorist group over the past two years. The group is known for committing crimes such as murder, rape, and abduction of women and children, as well as slavery and indoctrination.
Attacks against Christians in the DRC have increased since October 2019, when the Congolese Army launched an operation against the ADF’s leaders and bases in the jungle around the city of Beni. In response, the jihadist group intensified its campaign of massacres in rural areas, predominantly targeting Christians, who make up 95% of the population.
Let us pray.
- Ask the Lord to provide for and minister to those who are suffering grief, trauma and injury.
Pray the victims will know of the Lord’s presence and provision and be greatly comforted. - Ask the Lord to intervene to remove the anger and hatred from the hearts of the members of the ADF. Pray for their salvation.
- Pray for wisdom for the authorities trying to bring an end to the violence, care for those who are displaced and protect the vulnerable.
