At least 38 people, including women and children, were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in eastern Congo's Ituri province on Sunday. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State, claimed responsibility. The attack, which occurred during a midnight vigil, is the latest in a series of deadly assaults by the ADF, which has exploited ongoing conflicts in the region. The Congolese army and Ugandan forces have conducted joint operations against the ADF, but analysts say these efforts have been insufficient to protect civilians. The attack has been widely condemned, and the UN warns it will worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.