KINSHASA, Congo — On Wednesday, authorities reported that extremist rebels associated with the Islamic State group carried out a brutal attack in eastern Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including an eight-month-old infant and a 14-year-old girl. Several others were reportedly kidnapped during the assault.

The militant group, identified as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted civilians in the village of Tenambo, situated in North Kivu province, during the evening hours on Tuesday. Colonel Mak Hazukay, who serves as a spokesperson for the Congolese army, urged local residents to remain cautious and to steer clear of isolated areas in the wake of the attack.

In addition to the fatalities, the ADF is accused of setting homes ablaze in the village and abducting three individuals, as reported by Jean De Die Kambale Kibwana, the deputy mayor of Oicha, to local press outlets.

The eastern region of Congo has faced rampant armed violence for decades, with over 120 different groups vying for control over territories, land rights, and valuable mineral resources. Some of these groups also attempt to protect their respective communities. Numerous armed factions have been implicated in mass killings over the years.

In recent times, ADF-related attacks have surged and extended towards Goma, the primary city in eastern Congo, as well as into the neighboring Ituri province.

Human rights organizations and the United Nations have accused the ADF of being responsible for numerous deaths and the abduction of a considerable number of individuals, with many victims being children.

A report released by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office last month highlighted the ADF as one of the armed groups exacerbating the situation in eastern Congo. The report called for accountability and the prosecution of those responsible for severe human rights abuses in the region.