Uganda-Congo Forces Free Over 200 Hostages in IS-Linked Raid

Ugandan and Congolese forces have rescued more than 200 civilians held captive by an armed group linked to the Islamic State (IS) in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to multiple reports. The operation targeted a camp controlled by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group that has its origins in Uganda.

The raid, conducted last week along the River Epulu, freed hostages who described harsh conditions in captivity, including lack of food, forced labor, and punishment for disobedience. Among those rescued were children, with the youngest being a 14-year-old girl. The captives suffered from malnutrition, malaria, respiratory infections, and physical exhaustion.

The ADF was originally formed in Uganda in the 1990s by individuals disgruntled with the government's treatment of Muslims. After being routed by the Ugandan army, the remnants fled across the border into DR Congo. In 2021, Uganda and DR Congo launched a joint offensive to drive the ADF out of their Congolese strongholds, but it has so far failed to put an end to the group's attacks.

The ADF has been responsible for thousands of civilian deaths in eastern DR Congo, according to U.N. figures. The group has also been blamed for a series of attacks in recent years, including suicide bombings in Uganda's capital, Kampala, and targeting schools in western Uganda. The rescue operation was part of an ongoing offensive targeting ADF positions along the River Epulu.

The Ugandan military said several ADF fighters were killed during the raid, and a number of weapons were recovered. Joint operations with the DRC have intensified since the start of this year, with forces overrunning a major ADF camp in February. The sustained offensive has improved security in parts of eastern DR Congo, enabling displaced communities to return home, schools to reopen, and cross-border trade between Uganda and the DRC to resume.