The Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) arm in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) locally identified as ADF has been expanding its territory from North Kivu province to establish bases in Ituri province. Intelligence indicates that a large militant base has been identified in the village of Matombi in the territory of Irumu, Ituri. The militants have been housed in the base alongside their dependents and are reportedly very well-armed.
The group has been receiving reinforcement from the parent group ISIS-central mostly through the already existing arms in Sub-Sahara Africa and especially in Mozambique and Somalia. To exert its presence in Ituri, the group has been conducting attacks in various chiefdoms in Irumu territory where at least two dozen people were kidnapped and five others killed. They have been maintaining ISCAP MO that includes indiscriminate killings, looting for food and supplies, burning down houses, and kidnapping of people.
While in the past there have been attacks by the group in Irumu, the attacks were conducted by militants that had crossed over from North Kivu, and as such a heavy presence in the province cannot be ignored as it signifies a substantial growth of the group that Is only acknowledged as Ugandan rebels by local authorities. Despite the military’s efforts to defeat the group more ought to be done which can be spearheaded by the creation of a concerted strategy that includes joint operations between the UN Mission and the Congolese military.
