At least 18 people killed by extremist rebels in several villages in eastern Congo

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE
Associated Press

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A human rights group in Congo says extremist rebels in eastern Congo’s Ituri province killed at least 18 people in several villages last weekend. A coordinator with the Convention for the Respect of Human Rights reported Wednesday that fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces attacked people in the Irumu territory villages of Mutuyeyi, Bekembele and Bulesi villages and looted houses. Attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces, which is believed to be allied with the Islamic State group, have increased recently. In April, more than 30 people were killed in Ituri, and at least 17 people were killed in North Kivu province in May.