Two civilians were killed, several others abducted, and numerous properties looted during coordinated attacks on Monday, March 30, in the villages of Makoko, Muchanga, and surrounding areas in the Mambasa territory of Ituri province, according to EWRAC local sources.
Following the incursions, thousands of residents fled their homes, seeking refuge primarily in Mambasa and Bahaha, while access to fields became restricted and traffic along National Route 4 was severely disrupted. The attackers reportedly opened fire on homes, catching many residents off guard during the night.
These latest attacks follow earlier assaults by ISCAP terrorists in Muchanga and Karthoum on March 29, which also involved widespread looting and abductions. The repeated nature of these incursions has caused mass displacement across approximately ten villages, including those not directly attacked but located along the RN4 corridor.
The Ituri Provincial Youth Council highlights that despite ongoing FARDC operations, ISCAP continues to inflict significant civilian casualties in Mambasa and Djugu. The organization stresses that the central government must treat the ISCAP insurgency as a national emergency, urging international engagement and framing the threat on par with other major armed groups, such as M23. “For too long, civilians have been dying. The ISCAP threat cannot remain a secondary concern. This situation demands immediate national and international attention,” stated a member of the council.
Local authorities have not yet issued a formal statement regarding these attacks, leaving communities reliant on humanitarian assistance and security support from the FARDC to mitigate further losses.